Laurène, soon to be baptized, says she ‘can’t wait’

“I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” These are the words that thousands of catechumens around the world are preparing to hear on Easter night when they are baptized. Throughout Lent, Aleteia is sharing with you the stories of some of these men and women, who are happy to become children of God. Read all of the testimonies here.

Laurène lives in the Vendée region of France. She’s 30 years old and works in wholesale distribution. Describing herself as naturally “quite shy,” she nevertheless doesn’t hesitate to evangelize those around her and announce her upcoming baptism.

“I’m so happy to be able to experience it during the Easter vigil that I talk about it freely, whenever I have the opportunity to do so!” she says with a smile. Like 12 other catechumens from her diocese, she’ll receive the sacraments of baptism, the Eucharist, and confirmation during the Vigil at the cathedral of Luçon. Speaking by telephone, she can’t hide her enthusiasm.

Coming from “a family that was Christian but not practicing,” her parents wanted to “leave the choice up to her,” contrary to the Church’s recommendations. Laurène used to go to Christmas Mass every year, and was deeply moved by the beauty of the singing.

And as in fairy tales, a “fairy godmother” watched over her. Her aunt, to whom she’s very close, talked to her about faith and took her to Mass regularly. By her side, she found answers to her existential questions.

She even thought about getting baptized, maybe one day, but she was waiting for the right moment... And it was during a Mass that she felt a real “sensation of peace.” It gave her a state of “fulfillment” and helped her decide to take the step. “I felt really good!” she adds.

Is it difficult to embark on a catechism course as an adult? “Not at all, because it's really what I wanted,” she replies without hesitation. “You really have to go through it to progress towards baptism! It may seem long, but it's worth it to have a new life.”

Laurène is impatiently awaiting this “renewal” and already testifies to all the “positive things” that this journey is bringing her internally. “I can't wait to be baptized. It's supposed to be a really great experience, so I can't wait!” she repeats.

Her boundless enthusiasm has led her to talk about it to those around her and to invite two of her colleagues to attend the big day. “I'm so proud to be baptized soon that I'm sharing my journey with them, and maybe it will trigger something in them too!”

Once the ceremony is over, will she continue along this path by attending the sacraments? Does she plan to go to Mass every Sunday? Standing tall, she replies that this is already the case, and that it’s “essential to share your faith with those you meet, because a Christian alone is a Christian in danger.”