Florida Catholic | Soon-To-Be Catholics Reflect On Spiritual Blindness

Soon-to-be Catholics reflect on spiritual blindness

LAURA DODSON | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 03.14.08

COURTESY PHOTO
Father Stephen Parkes, pastor of Most Precious Blood Parish in Oviedo, and Debbie Pulliam, sponsor, pray together over Cheryl Drohan, a member of the elect during the celebration of the second scrutiny rite on March 2.

OVIEDO | As her name sounded from the ambo, Cheryl Drohan stood in the midst of the church and said, “Present.”

At the 8:30 a.m. Mass at Most Precious Blood Parish in Oviedo, Drohan joined three other soon-to-be Catholics from her parish for the celebration of the scrutinies, rites that help the elect to examine communally the spiritual blindness in their lives in preparation for the sacraments of initiation they will experience at the Easter vigil. Three scrutinies are celebrated at Masses on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent.

“We’re not there to be scrutinized by the parish, but we must scrutinize ourselves. It’s about what we all are or should be doing,” Drohan said.

“The elect” is the name given those catechumens who have celebrated the rite of election on the First Sunday of Lent and are called to the Easter sacraments of initiation. More than 500 elect in the Diocese of Orlando participated in the second scrutiny rite on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 2. The second scrutiny concerns the parable of the man born blind (Jn 9: 1-41), and challenges catechumens to consider the paradox of blindness to sin.

Drohan had put off participation in the Christian initiation of adults because of her concern for the release of her emotions — she cries when she is overwhelmed, but “today was very calm, soothing. Instead of worrying about being emotional, I was able to see others smiling and encouraging me,” she said.

Several candidates came to the church in support of the elect. Candidates are already-baptized Christians journeying to celebrate full communion with the church on the vigil of Pentecost, held this year at the Festival of Faith, Saturday, May 10, 5 p.m., at the Orange County Convention Center.

“I feel like I have a family within a family, within a family,” Drohan explained. “Our little group of elect is my family, then we add the candidates who are journeying with us and that’s my extended family and then there’s our big church family.”

The elect were dispersed with their sponsors throughout the community so that everyone could be better engaged in the rite. As she knelt for prayers, she said she felt supported by her sponsor’s hand on her shoulder and was aware of those nearby who, obviously moved, were crying.

Drohan’s sponsor, Debbie Pulliam, came into the church in 1972.

“I had thought about being a sponsor before, but I always had a reason why I couldn’t do it. This time I didn’t have a reason and we’ve clicked. We’ve gotten together after church and we like to be together as a family — we’ve developed a friendship that goes beyond the sponsorship. Cheryl has awakened the excitement in me and given me a reason to grow in my faith,” Pulliam said.

Godparents or sponsors are fully initiated, active Catholics. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states “…the godfather and godmother… must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized — child or adult — on the road of Christian life.”

Pulliam and Drohan have discussed what the significance of a physical touch of a hand on the shoulder is for the two of them. “It means I am here with you. It has taken on a lot of meaning for me. It is a big commitment but one I have really enjoyed and gotten so much out of. I really feel blessed to have been given Cheryl and have the opportunity to support her through this,” Pulliam explained.

Separately, sponsor and catechumen share a common anticipation in the days leading up to the Easter vigil. “I always think about Cheryl when I go up to Communion and I’m looking forward to her going to Communion for the first time. I just hope I can see her face,” Pulliam said.

Drohan said, “I’m actually really anxious to take Communion. I’m looking forward to the calm and peace.”

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