Archbishop John and senior clergy help new Catholics live the faith
Belonging to Christ is a video resource providing catechesis on prayer and the sacraments of initiation for new Catholics
Across the Catholic Church in England and Wales, communities rejoiced in welcoming new Catholics at Easter. For months, they had prepared for this moment through the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process, marked by moments such as the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion.
After Easter, many of these groups continue to meet, exploring together the new reality in their lives, experienced through full sacramental communion. What was explained in theory before Easter is now being lived.
To assist the newly baptised and newly received as they grow in their life in Christ, Archbishop John Wilson, Bishop Gerard Bradley, Bishop Paul Hendricks and Canon Victor Darlington have recorded a series of reflections forming a post-baptismal catechesis.
The video, named “Belonging to Christ”, is a mystagogical resource – an exploration of the sacraments through the lens of a lived experience – in four parts. First, Canon Victor Darlington reflects on the transformation brought by Baptism; Bishop Paul Hendricks then explores how Confirmation strengthens us to witness to Jesus Christ. Bishop Gerard Bradley speaks on personal and communal prayer, followed by Archbishop John Wilson, who offers catechesis on the Most Holy Eucharist.
Each contributor also offers a prayer tip as encouragement to new Catholics.
Dr Mark Nash, the director of the Archdiocese’s Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis, said:
"It is such a joy to welcome so many new brothers and sisters in the faith this Easter. To help people to continue to live their faith, we have developed this resource to offer encouragement, expressions of loving care, as well as formation on the sacraments of initiation and prayer. We hope and pray that Belonging to Christ will be helpful to our new Catholics as they continue to deepen in their understanding and faith”.
Belonging to Christ is available to watch on the Archdiocese of Southwark's YouTube channel. For more resources from the Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis, visit aec.rcaos.org.uk.
You can also watch the faith testimonies of converts who shared their stories with us at the Rite of Election in February.
