CV NEWS FEED // The Archdiocese of Baltimore received a staggering 663 catechumens into the Church this Easter.
According to an April 2 report from Catholic Review, the number of candidates in the Archdiocese increased significantly from 437 the previous year. In his homily, Archbishop William E. Lori encouraged the faithful in the diocese to “love and embrace” the newly baptized Catholics at the Easter Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore.
“And let those of us who have been Catholic Christians our whole life long rejoice,” the Bishop said, “rejoice as new members are incorporated into the Body of Christ, rejoice as we are renewed in our own baptism, rejoice as we promise anew to life as children of the light, rejoice as we share the banquet of Christ’s sacrifice with the newly initiated.”
Newly baptized candidate Amber Conley told Catholic Review that her decision to enter the Church was influenced by the witness of her childhood best friend, who took her religious beliefs seriously, with regular prayer and attending Mass.
“It always stuck with me through the years,” Conley said, according to the article.
Conley said in the article that receiving each of her Sacraments of Initiation felt “amazing.”
“It’s such a beautiful feeling to be able to do it and participate in the Mass, receive Communion and grow in my faith,” she said.
