Finally, the long-awaited day for Peyton and Maria arrived.
Maria said, “I call it a mountain-top moment. A moment when it sunk in that I’m now Catholic. A moment where I could see how far I’ve gone. A moment of deep gratitude. A moment when I was so glad to be alive.” This moment happened right after she was baptized. She recalled standing there, hearing the music, and feeling immensely loved. She felt an abundance of compassion, freedom, and a feeling of relief she hadn’t felt before. She felt so supported as she saw her family and friends in the pews.
Peyton shared that on his Baptism day there was simply so much joy. He said, “I felt clean. At the peak state of grace that my soul should be. Sinless in that moment and as close to Him as I could be. After receiving my first Communion, I fell to my knees sobbing more than ever, no longer in yearning, but for gratitude that Jesus is now in me and I’m in Communion with Him.” He, similarly to Maria, felt surrounded by love both by those in the pews and Christ present in his heart. He said, “I beat death. I am no longer a slave to original sin. And I have all the Saints and Doctors of the Church backing me up. I felt surrounded by love.”
It is such a joy to accompany these beautiful students. I am very inspired by their life journeys and how they resemble the paschal mystery of dying to self, waiting in anticipation, and being restored with Christ. They continue to inspire me as they persevere in the faith and live the paschal mystery in every Sacrament they continue to receive.
- By Sr. Bridget Schlangen, TOR
