Our Young Catenian series is back! Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be meeting a few of our younger Catenian friends, learning more about how they joined up and what Catenian membership means to them.
In this post, meet Sam Mapletoft of our Exeter Circle. Sam joined his local Catenians group less than two years ago having been introduced through his University’s local Catholic society
How were you introduced to the Catenians?
I was formally introduced to the Catenians through the Catholic Society at the chaplaincy at the University of Exeter, through Michael Magier, a student who has joined the Association. I had been aware of the existence of the Association before due to their work as a lay organisation for Catholics. They had been active in my parishes growing up, and I had also applied for a bursary to travel to Lourdes with HCPT before joining, which the Association had granted me.
What inspired you to join up?
I was inspired to join by the fraternal bonds of the Association, which I saw as important to lay Catholic life in the 21st century. I enjoyed my first meetings to the Association too, and met some very nice people. The social aspect of the Association inspired me to join, as it would be important to have strong fraternal connections. Supporting each other in prayer, and supporting the life and work of the Church were also very important factors which inspired me to join; I wanted to be involved in an organisation that could support each other fraternally, but also in a very real way they supported young people like me and thus supported the Church.
Have you been made to feel welcome?
I have been made to feel very welcome by the Circle, and by any visitors. When I have visited other Circles too, I have been made to feel very welcome. People recognise that young people are important to the future of the Association, and they show this by supporting and welcoming young brothers.
What have you discovered so far?
So far I have discovered that there is a strong lay community in the Church. People are very willing to support one another, and that as long as this continues there is a strong future for the laity in an increasingly secular society. I am encouraged to see the strong bonds that exist in the Association.
To anyone considering membership, I would say that they should try going to a meeting, and see what is there for themselves! I am sure that they will find a welcoming circle, and hear about the good work the Association does up and down the country. There is nothing to lose by going to a meeting and seeing the spirit of the Association for themselves.
What are you looking forward to in membership?
I am looking forward to continuing my membership in one way or another – I am grateful for rule changes in recent years that allow brothers to maintain membership after ordination especially now that I am in the propaedeutic year of seminary.
Thank you so much Sam! It’s great to hear what membership means to you and we are so grateful for your honest and enthusiastic comments.
If you’re interested in membership, we complete agree with Sam’s ethos here – check out your local circle events and join in, see what you think!
You can find your nearest circle on our find a circle page or just get in touch with our team and we’ll connect you with your local group.
