LOVE, Kloudiia

10 months down the road when I was accepted into and begun my RCIA journey, I am now elected into this faith. I’m now known as an Elect, and not a Catechumen.

Well, terminology aside, what it means is bascially, I have been found worthy and faithful to be ready for baptism come Easter Vigil night.

Not much was told to us in advance about what to expect for this session, so I went there with as much anticipation as curiosity.

Ok, I have to tell you something rather embarassing here. I was so excited about the entire event and so I busied myself taking photos of the church and our team mates. Until the time struck 1.55pm on my watch only then I realised this urge to relieve myself. After a very short debate that lasted 30 seconds, I decided to dash for it before the mass starts at 2pm. I managed to persuade my sponsor and my sister to accompany me on this trip to answer nature’s call.

Just when I was almost running out of the door, I stopped. The whole team were already lined up and waiting outside the main door to make their entrance! I had an emergency brake and turned around. Too embarassed to walk back at this juncture, the 3 of us decided to stay put. But hey, was that a brilliant and timely move! For we were able to witness the entrance procession at such a close distance with a non-blocked view!

Wow, it was so grand. First came in the altar boys, then the banner flags that represent each parish and finally the priests. There were a total of 15 churches, so there were 15 priests from their respective parish who walked in, decked in their white robes and a purple sash. Finally the 3 priests who will be preceding over the mass entered last.

Mass has started. We thus walked back to our seats. Thereafter was the beginning of an extreme bladder control for the next 2 hours.

Friends who know me will also know when I’m in a merry mood or excited, I tend to blabber quite a bit. So there I was saying this, commenting that till my sister asked me to shut my mouth up. When I did, she took over, and it’s my turn to ask her to shut up! Ha!

There are a total of 515 elects and candidates, and our church has an impressive number of 95! Whoa! That makes us the parish with the most number of elects to be baptised this Easter! Cool, ya?

Look at the big turn-out:

But really, I was impressed with not just the proceedings, I’m awed by their choir and band too. My church used to have a band too (I think), but we’re contented with having a piano now for our masses. Maybe this was a special mass, or that’s how their usual masses was like I don’t know, but they actually had an entire ensemble of organ, guitars, flute and violin! Really nice! Just imagine how the music blended and flowed with the singing, making it so melodious to our ears… I was basking in and enjoying the music as we sang and glorify God our Lord.

While they were doing their rehearsal:

 

And they have LCD screens strategically placed so that we can read the prayers and follow the hymns too.

Sitting on the same pew and next to us were 5 people who had special needs. One of our parish fathers, together with another lady stood in front of them, interpreting the mass to them via sign language. It was touching to see how God had brought all of us from various background and culture into his kingdom and made us his children.

I feel bless, truly.  

Thanks to the Church of The Holy Spirit for their hospitality and for hosting this special and meaningful mass.  

[tags]RCIA, Rite of Election, Catholic faith, Catechumen, Elects, Church of Holy Spirit, God, Lord, joyous, mass, bless[/tags]