Maro sat in front of his house in Kenyamonta Village in
Western Tanzania. Something was bothering the 79-year-old elder who belonged to
a traditional African religion. It was the priest’s question: "Why don’t you be
baptized a Catholic?" At first Maro laughed at the question, but after more
thought he decided to enter the two-year adult catechumenate. The two years went
by quickly. He learned a lot about the seven sacraments and the church as a
"community of believers" — something he had heard his children and
grandchildren talk about for many years. He liked especially the weekly meetings
of his Small Christian Community with the Bible sharing and lively discussion
about religion. During the official "Rite of Initiation" Maro formally chose his
new name Paul.

    Finally April came and the final preparations during Holy
Week. Everyone praised Paul for persevering during his two-year spiritual
journey. As the water was poured over his head at the Holy Saturday Easter Vigil
Paul was overcome with emotion and said to himself: "Yes, now I am a Christian."
Then all 38 newly baptized went out of the church to change from their old
clothes into white garments symbolizing their new life in Christ. As they
returned singing and dancing, a wave of joy, happiness and enthusiastic clapping
filled the whole church. After the adult baptisms Paul’s wife Theresa came up
for the blessing of their marriage. As she and Paul received communion together
for the first time, the beaming faces of all of Paul’s children and
grandchildren were wet with happy tears. Paul clapped with everyone else and
thought to himself: "I feel young. After all, I’m starting a new life"…