Well, it's has been a year since I joined the R.C.I.A.(Rites of Christian Inititation for Adults). On Easter Vigil, at the parish of Catholic church of St Mary of the Angels, I was fully baptised into union with Christ. It has been really a trying year for me and my family as well. Everything wonderful and pure joy culminated in just one night, where memories of my life in a year began to flash back across my mind. At that precise moment, before stepping into the baptismal font, with my godfather besides me, I was a total bundle of nerves. Recalling that moment now, I couldn't help but shudder, yet I was feeling glad at the same time. I was literally baptised into death and risen again into new life as I heard Fr. Joe baptising me, at the same time invoking the Holy Trinity. I was gasping for breath and shivering with cold when i came up. Yet, there was this moment of pure exhilarating joy within me that I couldn't explain! During my First Communion, I struggled to hold back my tears as I finally understood what it really means as Christ gave up his Body and Blood in the form of the Eucharist (the source and summit of Christian life) as we Catholics believe he was truly present there. At that moment, I truly thanked Him for all that He has done for us as well as our Blessed Mother Mary and saints who prayed for us. Standing there in the picture, we are truly sinless as the waters of Baptism washed away all our sins! I would like to say a prayer for my wonderful sponsor who brought me into the Catholic faith, as well as my godfather, who guided me and tried to answer all my questions during my journey as a catechumen. The whole Easter Vigil really has been truly, truly wonderful, starting with the Service of Light, as everyone begans to light up their candle from each other from the Easter candle itself, thereby the whole church is lit up with candlelight, making it a truly wonderful sight. Proceeding next is the Liturgy of the Word, where Gloria is sang after so long, Liturgy of Baptism and finally Liturgy of the Eucharist. It has been a truly blessed night as the whole congregation celebrates and rejoices with us as Christ is truly Risen on Easter!
Looking back, it has not always a smooth path for me. My work, which requires me to stay late sometimes, makes me feel very tired at the end of the day and fatigue began to creep into me whenever I went for the OJT sessions. Thoughts of simply skipping the lessons would creep into my mind and I would try very hard to fight them off. The same could also be said for my part-time studies. It is so hard! I also wonder how some of my classmates managed to find the extra strength to stay awake, yet paying attention at the same time while I was always fighting with the familar Z-monstor in another world..At times, I really wonder if it's really worth it. I especially miss those days when I was still studying, so carefree, the only stress I encountered was slogging it out for my exam papers and making sure I got good grades, and of course our Final Year Project. Now, working life can be really hectic and at a lot of times it has really, really tested my patience as I encountered with many different kinds of people. I could only vent my frustrations and anger at some quiet place where no one is around or grumble it off in front of a friend. Moments like this I really ask God for his help and seek solicitude and comfort in Him. There's one thing I'm grateful to Him, that is both my parents gave me their blessings for my baptism as both of them are Buddhists and I even managed to get my mom to attend as well! But, there's one thing I've realised - that is this is the beginning of whole new life and journey ahead of me, as I seek to walk in His path as often as possible...
The flames of fire, used to light up the Paschal Candle outside the church compound
My RICA group at the pews before Mass