My Faith Journey

For the last few months I have been working on a "secret" project. Well, actually it isn't that of a secret, I just chose to confide in a few. On Saturday, on a ceremony that will be part of the Easter vigil in the church I will officially become a Catholic. I have done a lot of studying and a lot of soul searching and I am so excited that my special day is so close.

My search for a church started a few years ago, when I realized that I was missing having a place to congregate to hear God's message. I visited many churches and never felt connected to any of the people in it. I remember leaving some of those churches as empty as I entered, and that isn't the way it's supposed to be. When my father passed away, I renewed that urge to keep searching as his death made me analyze my own life path. So in the fall of 2014 I joined the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes at St. Michael's church in North Andover. It’s funny because I was referred to St. Anthony's by my friend Magaly Mercedes and after no response I went to St. William's and from there I was sent to St. Michael's. In that first class I felt at home, I was in the right place. I guess that's the way it was meant to be from the beginning.

The following months have been of great spiritual growth. I didn't need a faith because I already had one, as I had always considered myself a Christian, I just needed a family to join. Every step I have taken in this journey has been great, fulfilling and purposeful.

Now, I don't go to church because I am afraid to go to hell, I go because I need the message for my soul, like I need food for my body. I don't need the priest to be around for me to want to do good, I just do it because it’s good for my spirit, because when you receive good you want to share it, because it strengthens my relationship with God, and because I want to live a fruitful spiritual life and the fruits should be visible. There is no tree that bear invisible fruits, otherwise how can we recognize one from the other?

I am sure I will be criticize by many, and there is nothing I can do about that, I just need to make sure that my behavior speaks louder than my words. Does that mean I am perfect? Heck no. It just means that I have recognized my many flaws, and my weaknesses and accept that I can't take the journey alone, nor I have to. Being part of a church is a big responsibility, as we represent our faith and I am aware that people who acknowledge following Christ are placed under a potent microscope, in many occasions not prove that they are righteous but the contrary. 

It's not my responsibility to tell people how to live their life, I am just sharing my own journey. Every journey is personal and that is what makes them beautiful and meaningful. I always had a deep faith and throughout my life - even at my darkest times - God has been the only One that have never failed me or left me alone in the path. He has always guided my life, and moved me to wherever I am supposed to be.

I have chosen to wear yellow on my special day to symbolize the sun when it rises- bright, fiery and new - because it is a new beginning. So looking forward to be confirmed with my peers with whom I have bonded like a family. This journey is just beginning.