By Penny Nunes
I’ve always been religious. As long as I can remember, I have grown up with my grandparents in church, helping my grandma out in elderly homes, and bringing them their own mass when they could not make it to one. Because of this, my grandma and I were incredibly close. When she passed away, I knew I needed to carry on her legacy. I wanted to accept my faith fully and embody it. I wanted to turn to Jesus completely. This Easter will mark one year since I made everything official.
Last year, 2025, I was Baptised, Confirmed, received my first Eucharist, and experienced my first Confession. This was obviously the first time I had done this, and below, I’m going to tell you how that was.
Baptism: My Baptism was something I would never want to change. I wish I could experience that a million times. It genuinely felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders, my heart and soul were free. Free of all my sins, all my troubles, it was all washed away—and I was born again.
Confirmation: My Confirmation was just as incredible. I felt like Jesus was standing directly in front of me, smiling, as I got the sacrament. It was kind of an unreal feeling, something that is so difficult to put into words, and I can’t truly express it. It wasn’t a weight being lifted like Baptism was; it was like closure. Closure to my old ways, and an opening to my new ways.
Eucharist: My first communion…something I was super worried about! What if I didn’t like the taste? Spoiler alert! I definitely did. Instead of a weight being lifted or closure being given, this one was life. Life filled inside of me in more ways than one. My energy was lifted, my mood brightened, my eyes widened, and my heart opened. It made me think of things differently, in a better and brighter way. Jesus was within me.
Confession: My first confession…saved the best for last—Baptism was incredible because it washes away your sins. Which is nice to know, but there are some sins that feel like they never go away unless you tell someone. Last summer, I got the opportunity to go to DYR (a church camp in Lake Tahoe)! Where, at sunset, overlooking the lake, I was able to admit all my sins. The small and the big, the ones haunting me, and the ones that I forgot about. I was allowed to say it all and have it all be forgiven and forgotten. I cried a lot that night. God is just so incredible, I couldn’t believe it. It felt magical with the setting, and the scenario.
Don’t ever be afraid to try something new, take a first try at everything! I’m so grateful for my “firsts” in the church, and I would not be who I am without having experienced those. Jesus has strengthened me as a person, my heart, body, and soul. He has changed my perspective on things, brought me patience, brought me friendships, and shown me love. I never would’ve experienced any of this if I didn’t give it a first try.