It was a crowded mass at St. Mark's on the first Sunday of Lent. The season of Lent was a period of 40 days, usually in the early spring, which Catholics observed by fasting and praying until the Holy Day of Easter. The statues in church were covered in purple cloth and solemn hymns were sung.
The parish priest, Fr. Jerry Connick, ended his homily and then stepped down from the podium.
"My dear friends in Christ." He said, "I am pleased to announce that at this time we have five new participants for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults." There was slight applause as Fr. Jerry looked over at the front pew.
"As I call your names, you and your sponsors please come up to the front of the altar. Micky Dolenz and his sponsor Elizabeth Boniface, Michael Nesmith and his sponsor, Mrs. Millie Rudnick-Bramley. Peter Tork and his sponsor Sally Parker, David Jones and his sponsor Nyles Brown, and Darlene Stocum and her sponsor Mrs. Madeline Prudy."
Each of them filed up to the front altar step as Fr. Jerry called their names. When they were all standing before him, he asked,
"You five have come before us today to ask to become members of the Roman Catholic church. Is this your intent?"
"It is." The Monkees and Darlene replied.
"Sponsors," Fr. Jerry continued, "Are you prepared to help your candidates walk with the Lord?"
"We are." The sponsors replied.
He then looked to the altar boy next to him who held out an open book.
"Oh Lord in Heaven," Fr. Jerry read, "We ask that you bless these people who have come here today to start on their journey toward your Kingdom. Fill their hearts with your love and grace so that they may be one with you and your holy son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
"Amen." Everybody answered.
The priest then walked over to Micky and drew the sign of the cross on his forehead. He went down the line and did the same to Mike, Peter, Davy and Darlene. While he did this, the congregation sang;
"Jesus said to me, `I am the living water, drink and you shall live in me.'"
The Priest then continued reading. "Let us all renew our baptismal vows. Do you reject Satan?"
"I do." The congregation, including the candidates and their sponsors replied.
"And all his works?"
"I do."
"And all his empty promises?"
"I do."
"Do you believe in God the father, the almighty, creator of Heaven and Earth?"
"I do." Everyone said.
"And in Jesus Christ his only son our Lord, who was conceived by the holy spirit and born of the Virgin Mary?"
"I do."
"Who suffered, died, and rose from the dead and now lives and reigns in Heaven?"
"I do."
"Oh Lord on high, we do beseech you to help these candidates here before you on their journey to your heavenly kingdom" Fr. Jerry read, "Let them all know your son's love so that one day they may join the hosts of angels and saints in endless praise before your throne."
"Amen." The congregation replied as one.
"Turn around, everyone." Fr. Jerry said quietly.
The Monkees and Darlene turned while the priest said, "Let's give a warm welcome to our candidates."
The congregation broke out in applause. When the applause was over, Fr. Jerry dismissed the group back to their seats. Tess the organist announced the next song as Fr. Jerry and the altar boys began to set up the altar for the Eucharist.
+++++
After mass was over, several people came up to the Monkees and Darlene to wish them well, promising to pray for them as they started their journey. Millie's husband Larry, a recent Catholic convert himself, came over too.
"Congratulations, boys." He said, shaking their hands.
"Thanks, Larry." Davy said.
Later on, they drove over to a local restaurant for breakfast.
"That was nice of the people to applaud us." Peter said.
"They're all glad to see new people joining the congregation." Elizabeth replied. "Now remember everyone, you still have to continue with your twice-weekly meetings and our own bible studies to attend. Those meetings take precedence over anything else right now."
"Elizabeth, why can't you just zap us and we'll know the bible instantly?" Darlene asked.
"I had already put the new testament verses in the boys' heads when we had gone back to ancient Judea." Elizabeth said, "But if I did that, you may know the words, but would you understand them? It's one thing to memorize words, but to fully grasp what the Lord is saying to us, you have to read the texts and absorb what you've learned."
"Not only that, but we have to learn the mass too." Davy said, "Why the priest does certain things, like raising the host and chalice above the altar."
"Because he's transforming the bread and wine into the body and blood of our Lord Jesus." Mike replied.
"That's right, Mike." Elizabeth said with a smile, "You're really getting into your studies."
"Well, with you and Millie putting us through our paces," Mike said, "It's no wonder."
"This is all so new to us." Micky put in, "I didn't have much religious training, not even a baptism."
"None of us did, really." Davy said.
"Well, all of that will be taken care of in about six weeks." The angel replied, "Pretty soon you'll all be in full communion with the Catholic Church."
Mike pulled into the restaurant parking lot and parked the car.
"Right now, I'll just settle for a full stomach." Micky smiled and jumped out of the Monkeemobile.
Elizabeth just shook her head as the group went into the restaurant.
The place was crowded with Sunday morning customers. Mike gave the hostess his name and the number in their party. As Peter walked over to a long side couch to sit, he bumped into a man coming out of the restaurant.
"Oh I'm sorry." Peter said.
"Be more careful there, mate." The man replied with a British accent.
Peter looked closer at the man. He had dark hair and beard with glasses on his face.
"I think I know you from somewhere." Peter said.
"You wish you did." The man replied, curling his lip. He quickly left the restaurant, followed by a woman with long dark hair.
"That wasn't very nice." Peter thought to himself as he sat down with his friends.
Chapter 2
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