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Congratulations to our parish’s catechumens and candidates who celebrated the Rite of Sending and Rite of Election on Sunday, March 9 at Holy Name Cathedral. We are excited for you to take the next steps along your faith journey as you make your spiritual home in the Catholic Church. Our parish looks forward to welcoming you into the Church at the Easter Vigil!  What is the Rite of Send & the Rite of Election? They are an important two-part celebration in the journey of adult converts joining the Catholic Church. At our parish, this process of faith education and evangelization is called Becoming Catholic — you might know it as OCIA or RCIA. The word “election” has nothing to do with politics. Rather, we are publicly acknowledging that God has chosen a person to be disciple of Jesus. How is it celebrated? There is a sending and a receiving. First, catechumens – those preparing for the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation – are sent by their parishes. Second, the bishop receives the catechumens and invites them to enter their names in the Book of the Elect. When is it celebrated? They take place on the First Sunday of Lent. The Rite of Sending is done at the parish church after which everyone goes to the local cathedral for the Rite of Election. Who participates? Participants are unbaptized adults known as catechumens, Greek for “being instructed” or candidates, adults who have been baptized but not confirmed. Upon the testimony of their sponsors and catechists (teachers), the catechumens affirm their intention to join the Church and the Church approves them to receive the Sacraments. What happens next? When the catechumens inscribe their names in the Book of the Elect, the bishop declares them “the elect” (the chosen ones). They now begin a period of Purification and Enlightenment which ends with the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. Afterwards, the newly baptized and confirmed enter more fully into the life and unity of the Church.
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