PROVIDENCE — In a Mass at St. Dominic Chapel, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin conferred the sacraments of baptism, holy Eucharist and confirmation upon 16 students in Providence College’s RCIA program.
Of the 16, two were baptized, one was received into the full communion of the Church, two received first holy Communion and 11 received the sacrament of confirmation. Nine more graduates are scheduled to receive their sacraments at a later date.
“A number of graduates have received their sacraments throughout the summer, so the Lord is making sure His little flock of students from the Class of 2020 has all the graces possible for a life of happiness,” said Campus Minister Sister Anne Frances, O.P.
The Mass was live-streamed for family members who were not allowed to come to the campus due to the pandemic.
In his homily, Bishop Tobin spoke of how Pope Francis, in his first encyclical, “Lumen Fidei” (“Light of Faith”), described beautifully how “the light of faith is unique since it is capable of illuminating every aspect of human existence.”
“Faith is born of an encounter with the living God who calls us and reveals his love to us,” he said, quoting the pope’s encyclical.
Bishop Tobin told the students how God has initiated a dialogue with them, one that will continue to flourish throughout their lives.
“God has called you. He has invited you to this relationship. In turn, you have heard, and listened and responded. In his turn, God comes forward to share with you his grace — his divine life within you,” he said, noting it is through this dialogue of faith that God places within each of us the seed of grace, the seed of divine life, one which must be nourished in order to thrive.
Everything we do as Catholics is about nurturing that divine life within us, including receiving the Eucharist and reconciliation regularly, as well as serving the poor, the weak and the disadvantaged, he said.
“The celebration today is not the end of your journey of faith, it’s just the beginning.”
