APRIL 2020 MEREDITH AUGUSTIN


New York, New York WLP Artist, Director of Music Ministries, Church of St. Francis of Assisi


Te way the last couple of weeks have unfolded is inexplicable. One day we are in the throes of preparing for the Scrutinies and Holy Week, the next day we aren’t sure if we will even see the inside of the church at Pentecost.


My bustling NYC has come to an eerie, screeching HALT. How can this be?


Someone sent me something the other day that said: “Honestly, hadn’t planned on giving up quite this much for Lent.” When we pause to think back to Ash Wednesday, I am sure we would never have imagined that our faith would be tested in such a way.


How can we be church for one another in the coming weeks? Can we visualize ourselves with Jesus in the desert as these 40 days continue? Will we continue our journey with Him during the Triduum? It will look starkly different from any year probably anyone can remember. Washing feet and serving one another takes on a whole new meaning. Journeying with Jesus to the cross is more real than it has ever been for me.


In some ways, we are residing in the tomb, waiting for the light. Because we are a people of faith, we believe in the beautiful resurrection. And we trust that we, too, will be lifted from this and be all the better for it.


My advice to myself and everyone else . . . Continue to sing beautiful songs of faith. Continue to pray without ceasing. Abandon yourself as completely as possible to God, and continue to do so until your last breath. Do not be afraid. God will never leave you.


MICHAEL RUZICKI


Chicago, Illinois Training & Events Manager, Liturgy Training Publications


Director of Music Ministry, St. John Berchmans Catholic Church


At this time of uncertainty, it is also important to remember the elect in our communities (those in the final steps of preparation before baptism). On


the First Sunday of Lent, the bishop declared them to be the chosen ones that will be fully initiated into the Body of Christ this Easter Vigil.


What now if we do not celebrate Holy Week together? Simply put, the celebration of the sacraments will happen at a later date. Tis will most likely be chosen by your bishop. Te important question is, “how, as a family of faith, do we support these elect in their final (and delayed) weeks of preparation?”


Before answering this important question, let us turn to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults for context. Te Period of Purification and Enlightenment (usually the six weeks before Easter, or Lent) is a time for “intense spiritual preparation” that leads the elect to a “deeper knowledge of Christ” and gives them the opportunity to “search their own consciences and do penance” (RCIA, 139).


At the heart of this vision is the celebration of the Scrutinies. Also, it is important to remember that since they celebrated the Rite of Acceptance and became catechumens, “the Church embraces [them] as its own with a mother’s love and concern” (RCIA, 47). Troughout their lengthy formation, it was expected that the whole community played a central role in bringing them to this point.


So, what can we do? As pastoral musicians, we can offer our help to the Christian initiation coordinator. Let us find ways to use the Church’s liturgies, namely the three Scrutinies, to assist the elect in entering into intense spiritual preparation. Tis can be done via video calls, phone calls, and emails.


You can use the exercise of lectio divina on the Gospels of the Woman at the Well, the Man Born Blind, and the Raising of Lazarus. In support of these three baptismal themes (water, light, and life), as musicians you can assist them through guided meditations on Psalm 63 (my soul is thirsting), Psalm 27 (the Lord is my light), and Psalm 126 (God has done great things for us).


On top of all this, it is most important to reach out and be family.


Let us not forget, we embrace the elect as with a mother’s love and concern. During a time of uncertainty and fear, this should be our primary concern. Tey have been thirsting for the life-giving water, the Light of Christ that brings everlasting life.


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