My RCIA Journey

I was raised Methodist, but my mom came from a Polish Catholic family.

Their home was filled with religious items: dried palms tucked behind a mirror, crucifixes hanging in each bedroom, chalk markings over the threshold where the priest had blessed their home, rosary beads hanging on doorknobs and this really cool 3D image of the last supper hanging in the kitchen. I found the Zelenskys and their rituals so intriguing!

In 1998, I considered becoming Catholic. I went to a Benedictine monastery and inquired about their RCIA program. I was rejected. The monk, who was my spiritual director, shared with me that I would have to ask THREE times before they would accept me. I refused to partake in such nonsense and concluded that I would be “Catholic Light,” i.e., a member of the Episcopal Church.

Around that same time, I was told about the many apparitions of the Blessed Mother. Guided by the Spirit, in 2001, I was drawn to a tiny village in Bosnia- Herzegovina called Medjugorje. There, I heard one of the visionaries (Mirjana) talk about the Blessed Mother’s “private” birthday on August 5th. In the years since my trip, I never really “celebrated” this birthday (that is, until 2014).

On August 5th, 2014; I lit a rose scented candle in honor of Mary. I decided to let it burn out on its own. As I was rushing out the door, I put the candle in the sink to be safe. Walking away, I heard it slide into the garbage disposal. (Ugh, I laughed to myself, so much for this perpetual candle for Mary’s birthday!) Thankfully, the flame was still glowing and only a small amount of wax had spilled out into the sink. I leveled the candle and left the wax to clean up later.
Upon returning home, I noticed the wax in the sink took on a familiar shape (see photo). I couldn’t believe my eyes! Our Lady had actually given ME a present for her birthday! She gave me Jesus!

Over the next few weeks, I didn’t know what to make of this sign. Then it struck me, I need to ask again to become an RCIA candidate. So, I called a local parish to inquire about their program. The woman I spoke with was nice and helpful, but something didn’t feel right. It was one of those things you can’t explain, you just know in your heart that it’s not the appropriate path.

When I spoke with Karen, at St. Mary of the Mount, I felt much more at ease. Her enthusiasm and accepting demeanor were absolute blessings to me. I am very grateful to have her as my guide on this spiritual journey and I cannot wait to become a member of the Catholic family!

By the way, for those of you who are counting, I did ask THREE times.

UPDATE: On Saturday, April 4, 2015; my fellow RCIA candidates and I celebrated the Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation and the Eucharist. The night of the Easter Vigil was particularly special, because it was lit by a full moon.

As St. Anthony wrote, “…And as the moon at its full She shines. The blessed Mary is said to be the full moon, because in every way perfect…She is said to be light because She dispels the darkness.”

It was a total lunar eclipse that April morning, meaning the sun, earth, and moon were perfectly aligned. In addition, this Paschal Full Moon was named the “Full Pink Moon” by Native Americans, while coastal tribes also called it a “Full FISH Moon.”

PEACE~LOVE~JOY!

Lisa