I teach Catechism to children and adults in my parish Church in Lagos. As a way of relaying the faith in a very attractive way, some days are dedicated to music, the parish organists entertains the class as we all sing familiar Christian songs. The impact is simply blissful, and I am reminded of Pope Francis’ quotation of Benedict XVI in the encyclical Evangelii Gaudium, where he says: “each particular church should encourage the use of the arts in evangelization, building on the treasures of the past... so as to transmit the faith in a new language of parables” (Evangelii Gaudium, point 167).
Moreover, whilst teaching catechism to children, I'm had the opportunity to meet their parents. Some years back I taught a boy, age seven, in the First Holy Communion Class. Fortunately, I met his parents a few days before his reception of the sacrament. We discussed and established a lovely friendship. It happened that they had not received the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, having only been married under the traditional law and custom of the wife. So, I encouraged them to receive the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony and, amazingly, thanks to the help of the Paraclete, coupled with their son's excitement of his reception of the body of Christ, the couple wedded in the Church that same year. My joy was boundless; indeed, “God gives the growth,” irrespective of the planter.
Another one! A fascinating experience. In Easter 2021, I encountered a family in which the eight year old's reception of First Holy Communion made a huge difference. Interestingly, the mother of this boy would usually sit at the back of the class to listen as I taught. Sometimes, she reaffirmed what was been taught with a personal story or experience. Other times, she asked sincere questions in a bid to understand better. At the end of every class, she told me that she benefited a lot from the classes, and on several occasions I could hear her passionately informing her sisters over the telephone that she was attending Holy Communion classes with her son and learning a lot.
Meanwhile, I observed that the boy hardly uttered a word whenever his mum was in the class, and I became worried. I immediately drew her attention to my observation. I requested that she should sit out of sight so that he could participate more in class. She complied with my request in subsequent classes.
On a certain day, she confided in me that she and her husband had not received the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. She narrated that the husband was not interested in proceeding with the Sacrament, even though they were both baptised Catholics. He didn’t think there was any need since they were married under the customary laws. For her part, she longed to return to receiving the Holy Eucharist. She said she realised that she did not know much about the Catholic faith herself and was willing to learn. I advised her to start by praying for her husband. “St Joseph is the man for the job,” a friend suggested. Imploring his intercession, I asked him to grant the yearnings of the mother.
On the day the boy received his First Holy Communion, I watched as the father of the boy took in with interest the Eucharistic ceremony. He looked very happy and took several pictures with his son.At God's pace, in less than two weeks afterwards, I received a call from the mother of the boy, informing me that her husband had agreed to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony and both of them had begun marriage classes! Their eight year old son had brought Jesus back into their family. I am happy to say that the couple are now married in the Church. As always, our Lord “has done all things well.”
Jacinta David (pen name)