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Deacon Edward Te of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in San Francisco discusses the Shrine of the Crucifixion, during a Jan. 27 tour of St. Mary’s Cathedral for participants in this year’s Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process in the archdiocese. The Rite of Election, scheduled March 10 at the cathedral, is a key step in the journey toward communion with the church. (Photo by Nicholas Wolfram Smith/Catholic San Francisco)
January 31, 2019
Nicholas Wolfram Smith
Men, women, and children preparing for full entrance into the Catholic Church got a special tour of St. Mary’s Cathedral on Jan. 27. At the archdiocese’s annual RCIA cathedral pilgrimage, candidates and catechumens were given presentations on the different shrines and features in the cathedral and the significance they hold for Catholic life.
The pilgrimage was an opportunity to share with RCIA pilgrims the artistic treasures of the cathedral and introduce them to the discipleship of Mary through the art, Laura Bertone, director of the archdiocesan worship office, told Catholic San Francisco.
“It also shows everyone the breadth of the church,” she said, as different parish RCIA programs gather in the cathedral.
John Spotorno, RCIA coordinator at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Redwood City, said “it’s wonderful for them to experience more of the cathedral in a more relaxed way.”
In addition to being an opportunity to teach about the faith, the pilgrimage also lets people be more relaxed when they come to the cathedral for the Rite of Election. “There’s enough going on during the rite to be nervous and excited about, so they don’t need to worry about the venue,” he said.
Each year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil, thousands are baptized into the Catholic Church in the United States. Parishes welcome these new Catholics through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. In a key step on their journey, catechumens affirm their commitment to the church by requesting baptism and the celebration of the Rite of Election, scheduled Sunday, March 10, at the cathedral.
Each shrine received a small explanation of its historical, artistic and theological significance, and the connection between the stories shown in the shrine and the viewers’ faith. At the shrine depicting the Flight into Egypt, Deacon Bob Leathers of St. Gregory Parish in San Mateo spoke about how the Holy Family’s flight from captivity shows that Christ experienced the same escape from violence and persecution, and experience of homelessness, many do today. “Christian discipleship demands solidarity with those who are marginalized in our society,” he said.
At the Shrine of the Wedding at Cana, the RCIA pilgrims were told “as disciples we are called to do whatever Christ calls us to. How often do we find ourselves saying yes to God?”
At the Assumption of Mary shrine, Deacon Fred Totah of St. Timothy Parish in San Mateo talked about how the Assumption “foreshadows the hope of all Christians” to be united with God in Heaven. He also explained the devotion Catholics have toward Mary.
“When we reverence the Blessed Mother, we give her respect. When we were kids and wanted something from our dad, we went to our mom. It’s the same thing with the Blessed Mother, we pray to God and ask her for intercession,” he said.
Juan Rodriguez, a confirmation candidate at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, said he appreciated the pilgrimage because of how the cathedral art showed Catholic teachings “translated to everyday life. It really opens my eyes.”
The wedding at Cana had just been discussed a week ago in his class, he said. “So having the visual was a cool way to see it.”