PROVIDENCE — “The greatest thing you can learn is that all pathways lead to Christ.”
The words of Bishop Bruce’s homily rang out at Saint Dominic’s Chapel on the Providence College Campus, as15 students received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist; 8 students were received into the full communion of the Catholic Church; and 43 previously baptized Catholics received the Sacrament of Confirmation, their friends, families, and peers crowded in to witness such a beautiful Mass. The pews and all the standing room around were completely full.
This is the largest class of OCIA candidates the school has ever had, and the trend seems that these numbers will continue to rise. Sister Mary Cecilia and student leaders directed the program, which included Lila Chaves and Mathew Redmond, Class 2028. Bishop Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., celebrated the Mass.
The candidates and leaders of the program believe this rapid increase in class size is due to a myriad of factors. For one, Mathew believes the Providence College ‘Development of Western Civilization’ program (or DWC) plays a large role in these young people coming to the faith. DWC is a mandatory four-semester course in which students read the greatest works chronologically, essentially an intersection of History, Philosophy, and Theology. It is seminar-style and begs students to consider and discuss the big questions; it brings authentic thoughts on the meaning of life and what is true human happiness to the forefront of students’ minds.
Every freshman is required to read St. Augustine’s “Confessions.” Sister Mary Cecia, the director of the program, says, “When people are seeking their happiness in something else, it only leads them to emptiness. But, like St. Augustine, the heart keeps searching. And so it doesn’t surprise me at all that this is what’s happening.”
Another likely factor, according to Matthew, is having our first American Pope.
“It gives me hope that, like what John Paul II did for Poland, that can be possible for the United States as well, because we’ve seen so many people come into the Church recently, it was decreasing for so long, and now it’s really starting to go up really quickly.”
Milton Vargas, class of 2028, received the Sacrament of Confirmation. He remarked, “Realizing that what’s out there isn’t as fulfilling as being Catholic or just fulfilling my faith in believing in God...There came the realization one day, something told me inside, you have to do something, like, something that’s actually fulfilling for yourself, and fulfilling for others in a sense of being in community with other people. I feel like that’s what really drew me to the OCIA class.”
Milton describes how the inspiration of so many practicing friends and his relationship with Father Simon Teller OP, Chaplain of Providence College, really was what made him want this.
Milton chose Augustine as his confirmation name, after Saint Augustine of Hippo.
“His story, just how transformative it was. I feel like I saw a lot of parallels in my journey with God, reading along with his “Confessions.” I feel like just him, having that worldly presence at times, especially in times like these, then like, becoming more human.”
Just two days after the OCIA Mass, 20 students have connected with Sister Mary Cecila about being in the next class of Candidates. Every day, more and more students are realizing that lives built on seeking money and enjoyment will not last or be as fulfilling as a life dedicated to Christ. Sister Mary says, “The Holy Spirit moves very powerfully, and readies people to face the chaos. And just see what’s true within it.”
Milton described the same beautiful phenomena; “I felt like, just like wow, I felt prepared. I felt prepared by the program. I felt like I was living for the moment. I was ready for the step, and I was ready to be there, just being surrounded by so many amazing people.”
