Doors to diocesan cathedrals throughout the world will open wide on the First Sunday of Lent, March 9, and welcome all who gather for what has been regarded as one of the most significant evangelization events of the liturgical year – the Rite of Election.

Entering the cathedrals will be throngs of women and men who have been on a journey of faith, preparing for Baptism, along with those who have joined them  on their journeys – their godparents, sponsors, catechists and family members. Among the throng from the Trenton Diocese will be 166 men and women representing 53 parishes and two universities who will enter St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, for the 3 p.m. Rite of Election ceremony with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., presiding.

The Rite of Election marks a significant step for catechumens who are preparing to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil which this year will be celebrated on April 19. The celebration of the rite marks the beginning of the final phase of preparation for those participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), the process through which adults enter the Catholic Church. The RCIA encompasses many facets of initiation, from the time a person first experiences the call of Christ or wishes to know about the Church, to the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation and continued growth as a Christian.

Also in the RCIA are those who have been baptized either Catholic or in another Christian faith tradition. They are called candidates for full communion in the Church, and they are preparing to make a profession of faith, be received into the Church and complete their Sacraments of Initiation by receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. This year the Diocese has 419 candidates, 83 of whom are non-Catholic and 336 who were baptized Catholic.

The Rite of Election traces its origin to the early Christian community and the word “election” refers to the notion of the “chosen people” when in Israel’s early history, God chose a people and established a covenant with them. Election, therefore establishes the names of those who will enter the new covenant through the Sacraments of Initiation.

In the early Church, the preparation for receiving the Sacraments of Initiation was extensive. The period of time including catechesis, rituals and enlightenment of faith was restored at the Second Vatican Council, and is called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

At the Rite of the Election, the second official step of the RCIA, the Church ratifies the catechumens’ readiness for the Sacraments of Initiation.  The key moments of the rite are the affirmation by which the sponsors testify to preparation and worthiness of the catechumens and the act of admission or election by the bishop. The rite also includes the official enrollment of the names of those seeking Baptism at the Easter Vigil. They publicly request to receive the sacrament and their names have been recorded in the Book of the Elect. The signing of the Book of the Elect occurs during the celebration of the Rite of Sending which takes place in a separate parish ceremony prior to the Rite of Election.

Once the catechumens are accepted by the bishop, they are then called “the elect” as they manifest their desire to receive the sacraments before the bishop.

In the Trenton Diocese, the Call to Continuing Conversion is a ceremony that may be celebrated for the RCIA candidates in the candidates’ home parishes on the Sunday before or on the First Sunday of Lent. During the Call to Continuing Conversion, those already baptized in the Christian faith through various ecclesial communities and now seeking full communion with the Church will be called to continue their conversion and during Lent respond to their baptismal call. At the Easter Vigil,  the candidates will be brought into full communion with the Church and receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.