This Easter, hundreds of people came home to the Catholic Church. And some two decades after he was baptized, University of Mary Washington junior Spencer Lombardo was among them.
The middle child of three, Lombardo grew up in Bealeton, Va. He was baptized in the church, but as his father began to work more on the weekends, the family stopped attending Mass, and Lombardo and his siblings never received the rest of their sacraments.
Looking back on this in retrospect, Lombardo said, “Baptism and catechesis are the greatest gifts that a parent can give their child.”
He attended Laurel Ridge Community College in Warrenton for two years, earning his associate’s. He had been accepted to George Mason University in Fairfax last year, and “had it all figured out.” He had planned on pursuing political science, and “was going to intern across the bridge on Capitol Hill and all that.”
Then, he received an acceptance letter from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, “and almost impulsively decided, ‘Okay, I’m going to go here.’ ” That one decision changed the course of his life.
During UMW’s orientation last fall, Lombardo’s father pointed out UMW’s Catholic Campus Ministry. Lombardo was intrigued. The summer prior, he had begun watching videos by Michael Knowles, a Catholic conservative influencer, and Lombardo wanted to learn more about Catholicism. He started attending daily Mass and was captivated. He said during this period, he felt the Holy Spirit opening him up to consider entering the church.
Then, he made a leap of faith by enrolling in the campus ministry’s Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA).
The day of his first confession was the point where his conversion became real. On Valentine’s Day this year, his confirmation sponsor, Adrien Anderson, drove him to St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Fredericksburg to receive his first penance. “When I went into the sanctuary to do my penance, it really washed over me, just how much patience God has had for me,” Lombardo said.
When asked about his confirmation saint, Lombardo enthusiastically described his choice, St. Maximilian Kolbe. “I think it’s very inspiring how he was willing to sacrifice himself for someone else,” he said. An aspiring journalist, Lombardo said that Maximilian Kolbe’s example of hope and charity also inspires him to reflect similar virtues amid a culture that’s often hostile to the faith.
“It’s been beautiful to watch Spencer grow in faith, hope and love in the CCM ministry,” said Father Richard Miserendino, ministry chaplain. “As the months since the beginning of OCIA have gone by, I can definitely see his understanding of our faith deepen, and it’s been heartening to watch him grow in friendship with different members of the community, and especially through his consistent presence and friendship with Christ in adoration.”
Lombardo said that in the hours leading up to the Easter Vigil, he felt “intense joy and anticipation,” feelings that his friends and family attending the Mass likewise shared.
After receiving his first holy Communion, “I felt a certain finality,” he said. “I just received the body, blood, soul, and divinity of the king of the universe.”
Going forth from the Mass, filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit through confirmation, Lombardo simply wanted to give back to God. “After receiving confirmation, I’ve been focused on how I can give the gifts God gave me back to the world rather than trying to conform those gifts to what the world wants,” he said. “In an age where anger, anxiety and apathy has been sold to the American public … I believe that I would be betraying God if I don’t leverage my passion for truth and justice for the common good.”
Reflecting upon his spiritual journey over the course of the last year, he attributes much of his growth to the campus ministry.
“It’s amazing how much light this community reflects back into this campus,” he added. “And I believe that as this community continues to grow, more and more students on campus will find that light irresistible.”
Donofrio can be reached at [email protected].
