Assisting someone else in their journey in Christ, especially someone significantly younger than me, has helped me proceed in my journey in a new light. Davy, my buddy, has made me question things and wonder about topics that I hadn’t thought about before. He has encouraged me to think deeply about the reasoning behind Catholic practices and made me want to know more about the Catholic faith.

When we first went to Mass together, Davy’s original buddy was occupied with being a lector, so I stepped up and became his buddy. At first, Davy was shy and hesitant to talk to me, but eventually, he mustered up the courage to ask me a question: “Why do we have to be quiet during the Mass?” I was dumbfounded, so I told him that I was unsure why and that I would find out and tell him next week at Mass. Thankfully, since we go to Catholic school, I had religion class after Mass, so I could ask Sister Agnes, my religion teacher, why we have to be quiet at Mass. She explained the question to me in depth and helped me fully understand why. She told me that it is to show reverence and respect toward the presence of God. This enabled me to teach my buddy about this topic. 

After this, Davy was more courageous at Mass and warmed up to me. Also, once he understood more about it, he started getting more involved in the Mass by singing the hymns, answering the questions the priest asks during the homily, and saying the prayers. He even started talking to me about his life outside of the Mass, like what he was doing in class or what he was going to do over the weekend. We also discovered that we had a lot in common, such as the fact that we both have a sibling in the fifth grade. Now, Davy and I always wave to each other in the hallways, hug after Mass, and I am proud to say that he looks up to me as a role model.

Additionally, this helped me discover that learning about our faith is extremely important. It helps us to comprehend the Holy Trinity better and to grow in our faith with God. I have gone to Catholic school for my entire life, and up until the past few years, I didn’t truly understand some notions about the Church, but I never felt motivated to fully educate myself on the Catholic faith. But now, I try my hardest to learn and study about my faith more, so that I can then, in turn, teach my buddy. Eventually, Davy will become a Mass buddy. I hope he grows in his faith and forms a close relationship with his buddy, creating a cycle that unites Bishop Larkin students in Christ.