First-Year Retreat Leads to “Unforgettable Moment” on Faith Journey

Zenaida Porres was filled with joy as she sat in Loyola Marymount University's Sacred Heart Chapel on Holy Saturday and witnessed her grandchild, Alana Porres, '27 become a full member of the Catholic Church. She had waited a long time for this day to arrive. "You have given me the greatest happiness I could have ever wish for, to see you so beautiful and dedicated to your faith."

Alana Porres decided to go through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults - RCIA - which includes the sacraments of baptism, first communion and confirmation, after she attended Campus Ministry's First Year Retreat last September.

Porres said it was her experience on FYR that ignited her to take the next steps in her faith journey. Porres also met a close group of friends on FYR. "After FYR, our whole group started going to Mass together and then out to eat," said Porres. "Many nights we wouldn't get back on campus until after midnight because of the fun conversations and jokes. We all just mesh so perfectly as a group." When Porres needed to identify a sponsor for RCIA, she naturally chose her close friend from her FYR group, Mia Ruiz '27.

Ruiz was overjoyed to serve in this significant role. "Being chosen to be Alana's sponsor was the experience that truly solidified what it means to work in community with God's children. It was the most spiritual and loving experience that I've ever had," said Ruiz.

Porres said, "Having my whole family and my grandmother together was a completely unforgettable experience. This is one of the best moments I have had at LMU. Everything was perfect: the service and the homily. I felt completely taken over by my emotions. I was in awe. I felt God's hands holding me and supporting me through it."

Mahn Tran, S.J., the campus minister who oversees the RCIA program, was a mentor and teacher to Porres and the other nine students who fully entered the Catholic Church on Holy Saturday. "It was very moving for me because knowing these students' backgrounds and accompanying them this year was such a blessing for me," said Tran. "The students give me so much hope and joy. They are the main reason I get out of bed each morning. I always look forward to RCIA meetings. Their stories are testimonies that God is still alive and is at work."