Conversions!

On Sunday, we had someone join the Church here!  It was a really nice thing to see.  Apparently, this guy suddenly decided he was going to join the Church, so he asked the Chaplain to prepare him, then he went through the trouble himself of writing to the Military Ordinary (a bishop) for the permission to be accepted to the Church.  Arrangements were made and he received the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation.  Say - how many times have you ever witnessed a Confirmandi receive the sacrament dressed in a soldier's uniform with a weapon - ready for action - with Godparent proxys who are likewise dressed and armed standing on either side?  I imagine that scenario has not been seen for many a year.  One can imagine the days of the Crusades where knights wanting to offer their ordinary circumstances of daily life in an effort to sanctify their work, going through the same ceremony of laying on of hands and anointing.  They would have knelt before God and promised to use their talents and gifts for the service of God and His Church; to make it their life mission to reach Heaven and bring as many souls with them as possible... lighting up the earth with the brightness of faith and love.  Thus, they truly became a Soldier of Christ.  Bring that to today - same baptismal promises, same expectation from God, same mission.    The other day after Mass, I saw a fellow who I overheard was asking the Chaplain for 'Scripture'.  He was directed to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel where there is a small stall of Catholic books and brochures... as well as Rosaries, Scapulars, Medals, Prayer cards, etc..  I bumped into him outside the Chapel.  He told me the story of how his Christian Evangelical family ran into a big problem that his faith community - despite their best efforts - could not handle.  Who was their family advised to turn to in order to find the solution?  The Catholic Church and her priests!  As he was saying - only the Church (and designated priests) could handle the problem (you guys can probably figure out just what that problem was).  Since the problem was resolved, this Marine was told by his mother: 'get yourself a Rosary - and pray it!'  The amazing thing that blew my mind is that this young guy - on fire with enthusiasm for Our Lord - began telling me how he has discovered that through The Holy Rosary we become closer to Jesus through praying it!  He seemed so happy telling me all of this!  He proudly showed me the plastic Rosary he picked up with a guide on how to pray it... and an extra Rosary so he could give that one away if anyone needed it.  It was such a neat conversation... I just so happen to be reading a book on the exact problem he was talking about!  So - I invited him back into the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and introduced him to the Holy Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (The Brown Scapular).  I explained to this Marine that like we wear a uniform that shows we're part of a force... where everyone sticks up for everyone else (aka: the 'band of brothers'), by wearing the Scapular - WE wear Our Lady's uniform and SHE sticks up for us by giving us protection, intercession, and assistance to come closer to Our Lord!  I told this now smiling Marine about how Our Lady promised that 'Whosoever dies clothed in this scapular shall not suffer eternal fire'... that Our Lady will ensure that at the very least we have a chance to reconcile with Our Lord before we die.  I showed him how to wear it and he exclaimed... 'It's just like our body armour!'.  This guy was catching on really quick!    Please pray for this Marine and the newly confirmed soldier that through the Church they may journey through Our Lady who may bring them closer and closer to Our Lord.   First Sunday in Advent.  If I was back at home I'd be drawing a chalk 'Advent Wreath' on the blackboard - just above the date - with one candle 'lit'.  ;)  O Come, O Come Emmanuel!