A Journey of Faith - Receiving the Sacraments

It is with great joy that the Seton Hall University parish welcomed nine new members into the Catholic Church on Sunday, April 12. The nine newest members of the Church have spent the year with the Brothers and Sisters of the Community of Saint John in the OCIA program, preparing their minds, hearts and spirits to receive the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation. Sunday marked the special day when the preparation was finally complete and our OCIA Candidates began their faith journey anew in deeper communion with the Risen Christ. 

Roughly 300 people joyfully convened at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception on Sunday to support and celebrate the OCIA Candidates as they made their sacraments. The exuberance of those gathered was palpable as demonstrated at no better time than when the newly baptized and confirmed turned towards the assembly and received a resounding ovation. Incredible it is to see the grace and mercy of God at work in the lives of Seton Hall students and the University community. 

Members from throughout the University community offered some beautiful thoughts on the celebration. When asked what the celebration meant as a person who helped to guide the OCIA candidates in their formation, Sister Anne Dukart, CSJ said, “As someone who has discovered the joy and peace that can be found in Christ, it was moving to see the OCIA candidates receive Christ in their hearts.” Sister Anne said her heart was “nearly bursting with joy” to during this moment of spiritual motherhood. When asked further about what it meant to see the exuberance of the congregation, Sister Anne described how the atmosphere reflected the idea that when one member is honored, all rejoice, an idea grounded in 1 Corinthians 12:26. 

University President, Monsignor Joseph Reilly, S.T.L., was also in attendance as both a concelebrant of the Mass and a sponsor for one of the candidates. When asked about the Mass, Monsignor Reilly offered the following thoughts: 

I was humbled and inspired by the Mass in which our OCIA candidates received in the Catholic Church – seeing the faith of our students and their families.  The Holy Spirit was palpably present to me on Sunday night.  I know it to be true in my own life and am grateful to see the same truth in the lives of our students: there is genuine power in the Sacraments of the Church – power to live and to love like Jesus Christ.  I consider myself truly privileged to be a part of this vibrant community of faith.

Monsignor Reilly’s reflection underscores the incredible power the sacraments can have in each and every one of our lives. Regardless of who we are, priest or laity, the Sacraments offer a truly extraordinary opportunity to encounter Christ and live in His mercy and grace each day. 

In addition to the OCIA Mass on Sunday, April 12, the University Community celebrated two Masses on Sunday, April 19 where 18 different students received either the sacrament of Confirmation or both the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation. Both Masses were standing room only as friends, family and the University community rejoiced in seeing the students receive their sacraments. 

The Masses and celebration of the sacraments were incredibly moving for the congregation, but most especially for the students who received their sacraments. One student said the OCIA process ended “years of soul-searching” and has “given me peace because I am home in the Church.” The student went on to further say that throughout the OCIA program, he has “made friends and learned lessons that will endure for years.” 

Let all be inspired by the example and witness of our students who took a leap of faith in receiving the sacraments. Their faith, hope and trust in the Lord throughout the process of either becoming Catholic or deepening their faith illustrates to us all that sometimes the best thing we can do is to say ‘yes’ and open our hearts.

If you or someone you know is interested in exploring the Catholic faith more deeply or were raised a Catholic but have not yet made your sacraments of Confirmation and/or First Holy Communion, please contact Sister Anne Dukart, CSJ at anne.dukart@shu.edu for more information on our University OCIA program. Classes will begin in the Fall 2026 semester.

Categories: Campus Life, Faith and Service