Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent - March 18, 2021

Thursday of the 4th week of Lent
Today is the feast of St. Cyril of Jerusalem. He lived between the years 315 and 386 and was the Bishop of Jerusalem. He wrote many things and the Nicene Creed is even considered to have been based off of some of his writings.
One of the greatest collections of St. Cyril was his writings to catechumens, those awaiting to be baptized and receive their Sacraments of Initiation into the Catholic Church.
A great privilege that I have had over the past 2 years, is getting to walk with our folks going through RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and our catechumens. I get to meet people from all backgrounds and walks of life who come in maybe knowing little or nothing of the Catholic faith but want to learn more. Throughout the time that we work with them, I get to see their eyes light up at learning about the Catholic faith and even more, to see Jesus Christ come alive in their lives.
St. Cyril wrote to catechumens: “Great is the Baptism that lies before you : a ransom to captives; a remission of offenses; a death of sin; a new-birth of the soul; a garment of light; a holy indissoluble seal; a chariot to heaven; the delight of Paradise; a welcome into the kingdom; the gift of adoption!... for even to the unbeliever, if only he give his heart, God is able to give faith. So may He blot out the handwriting that is against you , and grant you forgiveness of your former trespasses; may He plant you into His Church, and enlist you in His own service, and put on you the armour of righteousness : may He fill you with the heavenly things of the New Covenant, and give you the seal of the Holy Spirit indelible throughout all ages, in Christ Jesus Our Lord: to whom be the glory for ever and ever! Amen.”
Let us today pray for all our catechumens at St. Mark who will be coming into the Church at the Easter Vigil and let us remember these words of St. Cyril for our own baptisms. Let us live our baptismal call anew and look forward to the joys of Easter.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem, pray for us!