Rite of Election is a milestone in the faith journeys of those seeking Baptism
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
The Rite of Election will be celebrated by the parishes of the Diocese of Trenton Feb. 17 at 3 p.m. in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.
Parishes from throughout the diocese will send to the cathedral their catechumens – those women and men who are preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist – at the coming Easter Vigil, as well as their godparents, sponsors and family members.
The Rite of Election, which is held in diocesan cathedrals annually throughout the world on the first Sunday of Lent, is derived from an ancient Christian practice where those who were to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation come forward at the beginning of Lent to show their intention. 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.
In the context of Rite of Election, the word “election” is used to mean “chosen” and the catechumens will be formally recognized as having been chosen by God and acknowledged for their readiness to receive the sacraments at the Easter Vigil which this year will be March 30.
The key moments in the Rite of Election are the affirmation by which the sponsors testify to preparation and worthiness of the catechumens and the act of admission or election by the presider.
Finally, the rite includes the official enrollment of 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 Elect.
Also in the RCIA are those who have been baptized Catholic or in a Christian faith tradition other than Roman Catholic. 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. It has been a number of years in the Trenton Diocese that the Call to Continuing Conversion has been celebrated in the candidates’ home parishes on the Sunday before or on the First Sunday of Lent.
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The Rite of Election will be celebrated by the parishes of the Diocese of Trenton Feb. 17 at 3 p.m. in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.
Parishes from throughout the diocese will send to the cathedral their catechumens – those women and men who are preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist – at the coming Easter Vigil, as well as their godparents, sponsors and family members.
The Rite of Election, which is held in diocesan cathedrals annually throughout the world on the first Sunday of Lent, is derived from an ancient Christian practice where those who were to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation come forward at the beginning of Lent to show their intention. 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.
In the context of Rite of Election, the word “election” is used to mean “chosen” and the catechumens will be formally recognized as having been chosen by God and acknowledged for their readiness to receive the sacraments at the Easter Vigil which this year will be March 30.
The key moments in the Rite of Election are the affirmation by which the sponsors testify to preparation and worthiness of the catechumens and the act of admission or election by the presider.
Finally, the rite includes the official enrollment of 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 Elect.
Also in the RCIA are those who have been baptized Catholic or in a Christian faith tradition other than Roman Catholic. 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. It has been a number of years in the Trenton Diocese that the Call to Continuing Conversion has been celebrated in the candidates’ home parishes on the Sunday before or on the First Sunday of Lent.
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