A Journey of Faith for 52 Catechumens
The Head of the Catholic Church in Fiji, His Grace, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, welcomed 52 catechumens who were found worthy to be chosen and elected for full communion into the faith at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Suva today.
As these individuals will enter into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, it marks a significant step in their spiritual journey – a moment that does not only speak to their journey of faith but also to the ongoing life of the Church in the country.
In his homily, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong expressed the importance of this occasion,
“Dear friends, today is a wonderful day, a beautiful day. Why? It is because, today, we have sisters and brothers who have been on a spiritual journey with God. God has revealed God’s self to them, and they have received that revelation of God.”
The sentiments emphasize the spiritual transformation that the catechumens have undergone.
Conversion is not an easy decision – it requires reflection, a willingness to embrace a new way of living, and an openness to the calling from God, as the Archbishop noted,
“God is the one that calls them. This is the work of God. God has called you.”
As for these individuals entering into full communion, the process represents a commitment that will shape their lives, just as it has shaped the lives of countless generations before them.
The Archbishop reminded the catechumens and the congregation that they are not alone in this journey,
“God does not work just on an individual person … God uses other people. This is why you have your sponsor, your God parent to witness to you. So, the God parents also have a very important part.”
It is a reminder to all that the journey of faith is communal. It is simply not a pursuit of an individual but it involves the sponsors, catechists, and fellow believers – walking alongside those who are entering the Church.
Conversion is not only for those preparing to enter the Church, it is a reminder to cradle Catholic – those born and raised in the faith – that Catholicism is not meant to be something people inherit passively, as the Archbishop pointed out,
“Without your ears, without your open heart, God cannot be seen.”
Archbishop Peter Loy Chong challenged the congregation to take this moment as a call to deepen their own relationship with God.
As people enter into the Catholic Church, it is for a lot of reasons; some are drawn by its teachings, its sense of history, the structure it provides in a world that often feels uncertain, while others find a deep sense of community in the Church – a place where they can encounter God in the sacraments and in the life of the faithful.
In the interest of many, conversion is a response to something deeply personal – a search for truth, a moment of grace, or an experience that awakens a longing for God.
The Archbishop emphasized the importance of the Church’s role in this process,
“We need catechists because without catechists to teach us and to show us the way, we cannot know our faith. Our faith is not only just something that is, it is a feeling kind of thing, a good feeling, but it also must be a reasonable faith so that we can talk about it.”
The catechists, he reminded the congregation, are crucial to helping individuals understand the faith and grow in their knowledge of God,
“Without catechists … we cannot spread the good news in a logical, reasonable way.”
In a time when faith can sometimes feel like an afterthought in a rapidly changing society, seeing men and women make the choice to enter into the Catholic Church reminds us that the Gospel continues to speak to hearts and minds.
It is sign that Catholicism is not static in Fiji – it is alive, offering something that cannot be offered to people in this world.
Archbishop Peter Loy Chong highlighted this point when he said,
“People will be only be converted when there are people who can witness, show God to other people.”
Conversion is not only an event, it is an ongoing process – those preparing to enter into full communion will continue to learn and grow in their faith, while they will look for guidance and support in the Catholic community.
The Archbishop’s words serve as a reminder,
“This is a wonderful day, a day that is worth celebrating.”
It is a day of celebration, not only for these catechumens but for the Church as a whole.
The selection and election of these 52 catechumens for full communion is a sign of hope, for them and for the Catholic Church in Fiji.
As we prepare to welcome these catechumens into full communion at Easter, let their journey be a reminder to all of us that faith is not something we simply receive – it is something we must choose, nurture, and live out.
END
For more information or for interviews, contact the Archdiocese of Suva Communications Office on email – aosfijicomms@gmail.com.
