An Easter Engagement

Ahh…Easter.  My favorite holiday.  The joy of singing Alleluia, the stale peeps, the promise of new life that Easter brings.  Something wonderful happened to me this Easter. Brian Miller asked me to marry him.  I said yes.  We had spent much time in prayer during the triduum, going to every Holy Week service together, starting the Divine Mercy Novena together; prayer has been a central part of our relationship from the beginning.  As teens in youth group together and then 9 years later as a dating couple (God surprised me with this one…I never saw it coming!), we’ve prayed together a lot. 

So right before the Vigil at the New Cathedral, for which we showed up an hour and a half early, we went into the Blessed Mother Chapel to pray.  When we got up, he got down on one knee and said “I want to help you get to heaven, and I know I need your help to get there …Will you marry me?” It was beautiful!  Completely surprised, I said yes then did the girl freak out thing, we had to step outside so I wouldn’t make too much noise. 

All I wanted to do was celebrate, and what better way to do that then by participating in the most beautiful liturgy of the year, the Easter Vigil.  The Easter vigil has 9 readings, the baptism of new members of the faith, is three plus hours long and is my favorite mass of the whole year.  This time I sat there with my new fiancé and saw the Vigil in a whole new way.

The nine readings are all about trust.  Trusting in the goodness of God’s creation, His wisdom, how He provides, protects, cares for his people, and most importantly how he loves us.  Loves us so much in fact, that His Son died and rose so that we could join him in the resurrection.  I heard this message of trust in a new light.  I trusted God, though it was hard at times, to show me my Vocation.  I now entrust God with my Vocation, knowing that he has great plans in store for Brian and I.

At this mass the catechumens are baptized, confirmed, and receive their first communion.  The whole church is asked to renew their baptismal promises.  I stood there with my new fiancé and together we recommitted ourselves to the faith, renewing our baptismal promises.

On Easter, God makes all things new.  This Easter I said yes to a new life.  The ultimate journey with Brian that will hopefully bring me to the promise of the resurrection.

As Catholics we are constantly called to recommit ourselves to Christ.  No matter what walk of life you are in right now, remember that God is constantly calling us to make things new.  This Easter season I hope that you are renewed that you know His love for you, and that you trust that he has wonderful plans for you.