May 6, 2025
“What a delight it is to be here and celebrate with those who are either beginning or completing the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. We are all so incredibly proud of you as you deepen your relationship with the Lord Jesus and his Church, and choose to be part of the family.”
That is how The Most Rev. Robert J. Brennan ’84C, '24HON Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, NY, greeted 19 members of the St. John’s University community, making their commitment to a life of faith after a year of study and reflection through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults).
The candidates received the Sacraments of Initiation at a Mass at which Bishop Brennan was principal celebrant, on Sunday, April 27, at St. Thomas More Church on the Queens, NY, campus. Focusing on prayer, study, and reflection, the OCIA process welcomes non-Catholics, and Catholics who may not have received one or more of the Sacraments of Initiation as children.
“Nobody is happier or more honored than I am to celebrate this evening with you. It is a real inspiration for all of us,” he said.
Bishop Brennan called the Mass “an ecclesial moment—a moment of being Church.”
He added, “All of us here have had some encounter with the Risen Lord. That’s what brings us here. He calls us into the Church so that we can encourage each other along the way, so that we can be in solidarity with one another, in the joys, the hopes, the griefs, the struggles, and the sorrows.”
Church “is where He speaks most powerfully to us,” Bishop Brennan offered.
Referencing the recent death of Pope Francis, Bishop Brennan recalled his words at the 2023 World Youth Day held in Lisbon, Portugal, which he believed were prescient for the candidates.
“Pope Francis spoke words that are so encouraging for all of us, but particularly for you who are completing the Sacraments of Initiation. He said, ‘The Lord Jesus knows us so well. Many of you are here with hopes and dreams about your own future.’ Many of you who are studying at St. John’s have it mapped out in your head. Then there are a lot of you who aren’t sure what you’re doing yet—but you’re on that search. Every one of you are here seeking hopes and dreams. You want to do well with your lives. You want to be impactful and make a difference.”
Bishop Brennan stressed that the Risen Christ was there with the candidates. “He is speaking to all of us tonight. He says, ‘Shalom. Peace, my very good friends. I believe in you. I’m counting on you.’ You who are celebrating Baptism, Confirmation, and/or Eucharist are deepening that relationship with Jesus Christ in the context of his Church.”
Of St. John’s, he said, “This community has produced this fruit. Thank you, St. John’s, for your witness. And thanks to you for stepping up today.”
Childhood Education major Emily Florea noted she was raised in a Catholic household, was baptized and made her first communion, but was never confirmed. “After completing my last Sacrament of Initiation, I feel whole and extremely blessed to be where I am today. I am beyond thankful for having this opportunity here at St. John’s.”
Raqib Alam, a Government and Politics major, wanted to join the Church since age 15. “All I could think about when I was getting baptized was every moment over the years when I felt doubt and questioned how far I would go in carrying my faith. I thought about all the times I felt despair or malaise, as well as times I felt inspired and touched by God. When the baptism was over, I felt like I finally made it. A long journey came to an end and another one began.”
Multi-Sector Communication doctoral candidate Carmen Collins explained that she was bedridden by an illness at age 21. She was in Berlin, Germany, and separated from her family.
“I was taken care of by a Catholic nun who visited me every day in the hospital to make sure I was okay. Even though my family wasn’t close physically, she made me feel like I had family in my hospital room. The only consistent activity I could do was stare at my white ceiling, praying that my body would recover.”
She added, “After getting sick and being stripped of the ability to live everyday life, my relationship with Catholicism and God became deeper, thus strengthening my resolve to get confirmed. Joining the OCIA program allowed me to reconnect with my family’s religion and culture, and understand that even though our actions are imperfect, we are all God’s children.”
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