1st Lent

This past Wednesday was Ash Wednesday & the start of my 1st lent in the Catholic Church. I found out today in my RCIA session, that lent was created for people such as myself (catechumens), preparing to enter the church through baptism, 6 weeks later.  I never knew that was the 1st purpose of lent.  It is really cool & almost a powerful feeling, that such a special time in the church, was started so many years ago, for people in the same shoes I'm in.


I decided for lent this year, I am giving sweets, and wine.  I know it will be a challenge, but every time I want a sugary snack in the afternoon as work, I'll be grateful I have food at all, and when I want a glass of wine, I'll say a prayer of thanks, that I have water & can drink when I am thirsty, when many people in the world can't.


This lent I am nearing the end of this intense & amazing journey I began last June, and I can't believe the Easter Vigil is less than 6 weeks away!  This morning we had the Rite of Sending during mass & were each called up by name to the front of the church.  Once up there, our sponsors spoke for us, that they believed we were ready to enter the church next month & then we each signed our names into a book that the Bishop will sign later tonight at the Rite of Election.  There will be around 1,100 people there tonight from all over the Austin Diocese! I am very excited & can't want to look around at all my fellow RCIA members & their sponsors.  I am so grateful for this journey.