May 3, 2019
Seventeen members of the St. John’s University community made their commitment to a life of faith by receiving the Sacraments of Initiation at St. Thomas More Church on Sunday, April 28, an uplifting conclusion to eight months of study and reflection through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.).
“Witnessing this liturgy is such an inspirational moment for me,” noted Dennis M. Gallagher, Director of R.C.I.A., Liturgy, and Faith Formation. “It celebrates and renews the faith of everyone in attendance. It is a wonderful reminder of the beauty of community and how it reflects the generosity and love of God.”
Focusing on prayer, study, and reflection, the R.C.I.A. process welcomes non-Catholics, as well as Catholics who may not have received some of the Sacraments of Initiation–Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist–as children. Participants received those sacraments at the student Mass, which was presided by Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros of the Diocese of Brooklyn.
“Completing the R.C.I.A. experience was one of great self-enlightenment,” said Joe Sanseverino, a junior majoring in criminal justice.
“Every session I felt myself growing closer to God. By going through this process, I learned a great deal about my life and my relationship with God.”
The R.C.I.A. process at St. John’s begins every September and continues through Easter. Through collaboration with faculty from the Department of Theology and Religious Studies and the Office of Campus Ministry, students and employees study all aspects of the Catholic faith at weekly gatherings.
“The experience helped me solidify my relationship with God, and I have grown in my faith,” said junior Edraine Paulino. “I entered R.C.I.A. in a very dark place looking for happiness and light—and that is exactly what I have now.”
Receiving the sacraments were St. John’s students Juan Ajanel, Sydney Aresta, Dariel Dilone, Lindsay Gasparri, Sabine Citalli Guzman, Riley Hogan, Krag Kerr, Jessica Lopez, Angelique Mevorah, Edraine Paulino, Isabella Perez, James Pizzo, Madison Quintanilla, Joseph Sanseverino, Ashely Santiago, and Sarena Salonia. The group was joined by Letitia Davis, who works as an Admission Assistant at the Staten Island, NY, campus.
“It is the closing of a chapter in my life and the beginning of a new one,” said Krag J. Kerr, a graduate student majoring in theology. “In taking part in the sacrifice and death of Christ, I am joined forever to His life, and I know more than anything that I am not who I once was.”
For more information about joining the 2018–19 R.C.I.A. program on the Queens, NY, campus, contact Dennis Gallagher at 718-990-2125 or [email protected]; for the program offered on the Staten Island campus, contact Rev. Tri M. Duong, C.M., at 718-390-4305 or [email protected].