February 15, 2022 | Sophie Robertson has always felt something guiding her life’s journey. The recent college graduate recalls being astonished at how the positive things occurring in her life seemed to happen by coincidence. She didn’t know it then, but has learned now, it was the Holy Spirit all along.

“I had no idea what it was, all those times when I’ve been guided to do something, it’s been the Holy Spirit. I didn’t think about it because I didn’t know what the Holy Spirit was,” she said.

Robertson is one of 13 adults who meet Wednesdays at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Seffner, for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults faith formation process, or RCIA. They are unbaptized adults who have been admitted into the Order of Catechumens and seek to be baptized, confirmed and receive first Eucharist at this year’s Easter Vigil. She and other group members have made the choice to accept Christ as their Savior and redeemer.

“They’re looking for a relationship with God. They believe in God, and they’re looking for a path to spend eternity with him,” said Steve Zendegui, RCIA coordinator.

The parish has seen a steady growth in the RCIA process and now offers sessions in English and Spanish. Parish pastor Father Edison Bernavas encourages everyone to come to church, even if it’s their first time or have been away.

“Our church doors are always open for them to come in and talk and start that journey with us. We rejoice over every new member,” he said. “We never turn back anyone, even if they sign up a month late. We approach them as a lost sheep coming back home and welcome them to join the program and start that journey.”

It’s that welcoming spirit from the Catholics closest to her that drew Robertson into regularly attending Mass. In time, she realized she was missing out on the Sacraments and growing closer to Christ.

“It hit me, I’m going, but I can’t fully participate and receive Communion, so that led me to the RCIA classes. I wanted to fully understand what we do at church, and actually be able to participate,” she said.

More than 270 people from 51 parishes across the Diocese of St. Petersburg will gather at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, for the Rite of Election on Sunday, March 6th. At the ceremony, parishes will present their catechumens to Bishop Gregory Parkes who acknowledges their journeys and pronounces them to be the Elect, as they begin their final spiritual preparations to become Catholic. This spiritual preparation coincides with the season of Lent.

“I’m excited, I don’t really know what to expect because I’ve never done this,” said Robertson.

Catechumens will be fully initiated April 16th at the Easter Vigil in their parishes.