The newest members of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Cleveland, the neophytes, were invited to attend a special liturgy on April 2 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Bishop Richard Lennon was principal celebrant of the Mass.
During the homily, the bishop reflected on the readings which focused on believing and strengthening faith.
?Over the next seven weeks, people will come to know the love of God. Today we hear from one of his followers, Thomas, who came down through history as a doubter. But ultimately, all of the disciples kept their commitments. They had moments of weakness, but who among us doesn?t? Peter denied, Thomas doubted, but both gave their lives. We celebrate the saints, but none of them was perfect before their deaths,? the bishop said, adding, ?We get inspiration from those who went before us. They love God and wanted to do their best.?
He said according to history, Thomas was the disciple who in the early days of the Church brought Catholicism to India -- in the first century. ?He most likely never returned to Jerusalem,? the bishop said, but ?1,400 years later, when St. Francis Xavier was doing missionary work in India, he found many believers who were following the teaching of Thomas.?
The Easter Vigil marked a significant moment for the Church around the world, the bishop said, since thousands of new Catholics joined the faith.
?They take on a special role in the Church as neophytes. I invited those who became members of our faith to join us this weekend at Mass. After the blessing, I?d love to meet those who joined the Church and are at today?s Mass. This is a significant moment in their lives and our lives. We are becoming brothers and sisters in Christ,? he said.
In the Cleveland diocese, there were 223 catechumens and 182 candidates this year.
Catechumens are new to the Church and participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, during which they grow in faith. Their names are presented during the Rite of Election and they are baptized, receive Communion and confirmation at the Easter Vigil.
According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the days of Lent are the final period of purification and enlightenment leading up to the Easter Vigil. Lent is a period of preparation marked by prayer, study and spiritual direction for the Elect, and prayers for them by the parish communities. The celebration of the sacraments of initiation takes place during the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday when the Elect receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and holy Eucharist. At that time, the person is
