We are coming to the end of another year of R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) at our parish. R.C.I.A. typically begins in September and wraps up in time for the Easter season when the participants receive their Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist). The seven months of weekly classes give the catechumens (seeking baptism) and candidates (seeking Confirmation and the Eucharist or coming into the Catholic Church from another Christian community) not only the opportunity to learn about the Faith, but also to ask a lot of questions regarding things that for the time being can be a stumbling block to coming into the Church. These usually have to do with Marian dogmas or Purgatory or the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist or the role of the Pope.
I came across a journal entry from March 1, 2014, in which I was describing a significant stumbling block. This took place just over four months after I begin to study the Catholic Faith on my own, and a little over two years before my wife and were received by profession of faith.
I wrote:
Yesterday was significant in my continuing faith journey. I had my regular devotional time and after watching an episode of “The Journey Home” and Mark’s testimony, I decided to look up the church he attended. On the website the parish had a Necrology List (a list of all the people from their parish who had died). The list was available to all so that the parishioners could pray for their souls in purgatory. Next to it I saw a prayer attributed to St. Gertrude the Great, which is said to release a 1,000 souls from purgatory when prayed. This seemed a bridge too far. I had doubts regarding the doctrine of purgatory and I felt troubled in my spirit. This was my first real issue with something Catholic.
I went to take a shower (where I do my best thinking and reflecting) and I reached out to Jesus and I thought about asking three mothers to pray for me as well. Mary, Jesus’ mother, my mother (†1991) and my wife’s mother (†2013). I reasoned that all three were in the presence of Jesus and could pray for me and cared deeply for me. As I prayed, a question formed in my mind: “Are you willing to trust this to the authority of the Church?” A deep peace welled up in me. I realized that this was the key to “stumbling block.” I couldn’t be selective in what I would accept — that came from my Protestant formation and roots.
My prayer as I settled this was, “In the Name of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit and in communion with all of God’s saints, I move deeper into the things that the Holy Trinity has for me.”
Back to the present…
Since then I have had complete peace regarding the Church’s teaching on purgatory, and I have been privileged to share this teaching that has its roots in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition with those who have been in my classes and with individuals as well. My faith tradition taught me well from Hebrews 12: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness: without which no man shall see God.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraph 1030) says this
All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.
The bottom line is that if we die in a state of grace (without mortal sin), whatever is not perfectly holy in our lives, God is committed to make it so, so that we can live forever with Him. Thanks be to God!
I just read about St. Gertrude and her prayer today. I liked it and want to use it often now.