Rite Of Election And Call To Continuing Conversion
What is the Rite of Election?
The Rite of Election is an important celebration in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). The OCIA is a formal process of evangelization and catechetical instruction, ascetical practice (prayer and fasting), and liturgies whereby adults — called catechumens — are formally admitted into the Church and receive the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. During the course of the OCIA process, the individual follows a spiritual journey of “steps” accomplished through defined periods punctuated with formal rites. The Rite of Election closes the Period of the Catechumenate. This rite normally coincides with the first Sunday of Lent. At this rite, upon the testimony of sponsors and catechists and the catechumens’ affirmation of their intention to join the Church, the Church makes its “election” of these catechumens to receive the Sacraments of Initiation.
In the last year, more than 1,400 people gathered with Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption for the annual Rite of Election. Among the attendees were 220 catechumens and 224 candidates for Confirmations with their sponsors. Represented were 51 parishes and one school—Archbishop Riordan High School. We are grateful to the many pastors, directors, coordinators and other parish staff who helped in the preparations of this important step in the lives of the catechumens and candidates.
When the catechumens inscribe their names in the Book of the Elect as a pledge of fidelity, the Archbishop, as shepherd of the archdiocese, declares them “the elect” (the chosen ones). They now begin a Period of Purification and Enlightenment — the final, intense preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation. On the next five Sundays of Lent, three scrutinies (rites for self-searching and repentance) and the presentations of the Creed and Lord’s Prayer take place. This period concludes with the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
After the Easter Vigil, the newly baptized and confirmed members of the Church (technically called neophytes) enter the Period of Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy. The neophytes grow in their understanding of the mysteries of the faith and strengthen their bonding with the rest of the faithful. They should enter more fully into the life and unity of the Church. This period normally ends around Pentecost. The OCIA is a spiritually moving process beneficial to each individual parish community and the Archdiocese as a whole.
Who is a candidate?
In addition, those already validly baptized in a different Christian tradition (such as Baptist or Methodist) who experience a call to become Catholic are called candidates for reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church. By virtue of their baptism, they are already adopted children of God, brothers or sisters within our Catholic family. In order to become Catholic they must complete their initiation through a profession of faith, followed by reception of the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. During Lent, these candidates are invited to join the elect in their final period of preparation for these sacraments of initiation, which are normally celebrated at Easter.
Who is a catechumen?
Those never baptized undergo a period of catechetical preparation and spiritual formation, after which they may become catechumens. During their time as catechumens, they deepen their understanding of the faith in order to ready themselves for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The Rite of Election is the ritual that marks their entry into the final phase of their preparation to receive the sacraments of initiation, usually at the Easter Vigil. Following the Rite of Election, they are called “the elect,” since they have been elected by the Church (in the person of the archbishop) to become members.
