April 20, 2022

Holy Saturday, April 16, was an exciting time in the life of the Church of Richmond as the faithful prepared to welcome approximately 350 new members into the Church through the sacrament of baptism at Easter Vigil Masses across the diocese.

Bishop Barry C. Knestout presided at the Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond.

Bishop Barry C. Knestout baptizes a member of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond, at the Easter Vigil Mass. (Photo/Michael Mickle)

The bishop noted in his homily that in the readings throughout the Mass, we hear of God’s love for his people.

“We enter into a relationship with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and receive new life by our own share in that Paschal Mystery, our own passage with Christ in the sacraments of initiation,” he said. “Since in these three days (of the Triduum) the whole Church is immersed in that Paschal Mystery, it is appropriate that we bring new members into the life of Christ, into the Church, on this evening through the sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation and Eucharist).”

At St. Thomas More Parish, Lynchburg, nearly 19 individuals ranging from teens to septuagenarians were welcomed into the faith. Of those individuals, eight are students at Liberty University.

Nearly 19 individuals were welcomed into the faith at St. Thomas More, Lynchburg, during the Easter Vigil Mass. Eight are students at Liberty University. (Photo provided)

Msgr. Michael McCarron, pastor of St. Thomas More, said that the parish makes a “real effort” to welcome Liberty University students into the parish, as Catholic Campus Ministry there is relatively new. For example, a bus is sent to Liberty each Sunday to pick up students who want to attend the 11 a.m. Mass.

Father Sean Prince, pastor of St. Pius X, Norfolk, welcomed approximately 24 individuals into the Church. That liturgy was heavily attended by parishioners, a welcome change from a year ago when many celebrated from home due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Approximately six cadets from Virginia Military Institute received the right of initiation at St. Patrick, Lexington. A story about some of these individuals will appear in an upcoming issue of The Catholic Virginian.

Father Stefan Migac anoints a member of St. Patrick, Lexington, at the parish’s Easter Vigil Mass. (Photo provided)