Some 197 men and women from throughout the Diocese are preparing to join the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, and will mark a significant milestone in their faith journeys March 5.

That day, the First Sunday of Lent, they will gather with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, for the Rite of Election, a ceremony during which the Church formally acknowledges their readiness to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil, taking place this year on April 15.

Men, women and children participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults of various non-Christian faith and non-faith traditions, known as catechumens, will declare their intention to become Catholic during the Rite of Election, over which Bishop O’Connell will preside. Godparents will give testimony to the readiness and eligibility of the catechumens before the Bishop and assembled faithful of the Diocese.

“The Bishop, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, will invite the catechumens to offer their names for enrollment in the Book of the Elect,” said Steve Bulvanoski, diocesan coordinator of RCIA. “After this rite, these catechumens will be referred to as the Elect of God. As such, they are ready for the celebration of the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil.”

Enrollment of the names of those seeking Baptism in the Book of the Elect occurs during the Rite of Sending, which takes place in a separate parish ceremony prior to the Rite of Election. Parishes may opt to hold their Rite of Sending the same day as the Rite of Election or a week prior.

 “Here then, at the beginning of Lent, they will be starting their final intense Lenten (Retreat) preparation for the celebration of the initiation Sacraments,” said Bulvanoski. “On behalf of the Diocese we welcome all the catechumens, their sponsors, family members and friends who will come and celebrate the Rite of Election.”

The Rite of Election stems from an ancient Christian practice wherein those preparing to be initiated into the Church, the catechumens announce their intention at the start of the Lenten season. The “election” refers to the covenant by God with his chosen people of Israel. The rite is the beginning of the final phase of RCIA, the process through which adults become members of the Catholic Church.

Bishop O’Connell reflected on the Rite of Election in February 2016, which is particularly special to him. To look out and see the cathedral practically filled, he said, “I don’t think it gets any better than that … To see every seat taken in the cathedral and to know that the entire Diocese is represented here in one gathering, nothing like this happens any other time in the year.”

Other men and women who are in the RCIA and will also make a significant step toward becoming Catholic are those who have been baptized as Catholic or in other Christian faith traditions. These individuals, referred to as candidates for full communion in the Church, will make a profession of faith, be received into the Church and complete their Sacraments of Initiation with the reception of the Sacraments of Confirmation and first Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.

A special rite that is celebrated for these candidates on or near the First Sunday of Lent is referred to as the Call to Continuing Conversion. During this rite, those already baptized as Christians are called to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist during the Easter Vigil.

As of Feb. 22, the diocesan Department of Catechesis reported that there are 488 such candidates, 101 who are non-Catholic and 387 who have been baptized as Catholics.

St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral is located at 149 North Warren Street, Trenton.