The word “neophyte” is unfamiliar to most Catholics. It is used to describe the newly baptized who celebrated the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.

The word “neophyte” is drawn from botanical imagery—describing a plant that has just been introduced into the area. On May 5, I celebrated the Mass for Neophytes at the Cathedral of St. Helena.

The excitement in the air was palpable. Lindy Miller, one of the newly baptized, spoke for so many when he wrote, “Baptism was personally exciting and fulfilling, allowing me to partake of a tradition that goes back 2,000 years… At the tender age of 66, I never thought I’d have such an experience of joy and awe... I feel like a child again.”

The first stage of RCIA, beginning with the Rite of Election, helped our catechumens realize that the seeds of faith were planted in their hearts through the mysterious initiative of God.

Connie Smith wrote, “I am very thankful that God continued to call and invite me many times over the years to come home. My prayer is that this light will help me to forever surrender to God’s will…”

The first step in RCIA recognized and gave thanks to God for the persons who inspired baptismal faith in their hearts—most frequently husbands, wives, coworkers, friends and relatives who were instruments of God’s amazing grace.

Tim Taylor wrote, “It turns out that after meeting my fiancée and going to Mass on a regular basis that that was enough motivation to be baptized. Being baptized finally gave me a sense of belonging and allowed me to grow with my fiancée in a religious aspect, as well.”

The RCIA included a time of purification and enlightenment for those preparing for baptism.

They asked for God’s help in healing anything and everything that was unsettling their souls and instilling doubt in their hearts. The time of purification serves as a powerful reminder that all of us are sinners, and all need God’s grace.

Mary Bryggman wrote, “I feel like a whole new person. Baptism wiped away Original Sin, and made me realize how much better it felt with God than without.”

In the 17th century, Father Jean Pierre de Caussade wrote, “You can make the root below the soil flourish and you can make fruitful the darkness in which you keep me.”

The time of purification helps all of us remember that discipleship necessarily involves a share in the suffering and cross of Christ. More importantly, it reminds us that Easter always follows Good Friday.

The Easter Vigil in all of our parishes was marked by the lighting of the fire, the singing of sweet hallelujahs and the joy of the resurrection.

Nine-year-old Christian Zehr shared, “I felt excited because it meant I could finally receive Jesus’ body in the Eucharist, and I got to wear a white robe… After I was baptized I felt proud that I had received my first holy Communion… And people were congratulating me!”

The newly baptized and those received into the Church experienced firsthand that Jesus Christ is the light of the world.

Megan O’Leary shared her thoughts that “becoming a Catholic is like being given a really great flashlight—even though everything else in the world is dark, I got a little bit of light to walk by now.”

The season of mystagogia, following the Easter Vigil, is the time to deepen and to live the mysteries of faith.

It is the time when the whole Christian community, parish and diocese alike, express deep bonds of faith with the newly baptized, along with our sincere desire to help all those who were received into the Church at Easter.

Sam Bryggman said succinctly, “The thing that has hit me through my baptism experience is the importance of community. With community comes hope, and the knowledge that you always have support. You know that there are people who care about you and are willing to help. This is the place where people can put aside their differences and love each other.”

Mystagogia is a time for the newly baptized to make new connections between sacrament and service, faith and forgiveness, prayer and compassion, love of God and love of neighbor.

It is also the time for the newly baptized and those who professed their faith at Easter to take their rightful place in the assembly of believers.

As their own faith grows and develops, they will, in due season, become new sowers of the seed. They will help the Church awaken in others the experience of living with Christ and growing in the Church, a community that rests on the shoulders of the apostles.

At the Mass of Neophytes, we gathered in a spirit of joy and thanksgiving, grateful for the bountiful harvest standing before us as a sign of the Church’s eternal springtime.

How happy the people the Lord has chosen to be his own!


Published in The Montana Catholic Online, Volume 29, No. 4, April 19, 2013.