Rite of Election to mark major milestone for those on faith journeys
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor
Every year on the first Sunday in Lent, bishops throughout the world welcome those who are preparing to join the Catholic Church.
On that day, the men and women – called catechumens – gather in their diocesan cathedral for the Rite of Election, a time when they are formally acknowledged by the bishop, or his delegate, for their readiness to receive the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist – at the Easter Vigil. Over the course of many months, even years, the catechumens have been learning about the Catholic Church through their studies, faith experiences and participation in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults in their parishes.
Such will be the occasion March 10 when about 150 women and men from Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties – along with their sponsors, families and RCIA team members – gather for the Rite of Election to be held at 3 p.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold.
“As someone who has participated in the Rite of Election a number of times, you can’t help but experience the power of this rite. It’s a power that can be seen in the eyes of the elect and the Catholic community in attendance,” said Steve Bulvanoski, diocesan RCIA coordinator. “The elect are shouting out their love of Christ and their desire to be his followers and the community witnesses this profession of faith.”
The Rite of Election, which coincides with the first Sunday of Lent, is a formal step along the path of those adults and children journeying toward reception into the Catholic Church. During the 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 at the Easter Vigil which this year will be celebrated April 20. The Rite of Election stems from the Christian practice for those preparing to be initiated into the Church, to declare 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 preparation for those participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the process through which adults enter the Catholic Church.
During the ceremony, the catechumens will be formally acknowledged to receive the Sacraments. In turn, the Church affirms that the catechumens are prepared and worthy to be admitted into the faith. Their sponsors also testify to their worthiness and eligibility for admission by the Bishop. Once accepted by the Bishop, the catechumens are publicly declared as “the elect.”
The rite also includes the official enrollment of the names of those requesting Baptism at the Easter Vigil into the Book of the Elect. The signing of the Book, which occurs during the Rite of Sending, takes place in a separate parish ceremony prior to the Rite of Election.
Others who will be taking a significant step in the life of the Diocese are those who have been baptized as Catholics or in other Christian faiths, but have not yet celebrated the additional Sacraments of Initiation – Confirmation and Eucharist. 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 during the Call to Continuing Conversion, a ceremony that may be celebrated in the RCIA candidates’ home parishes on the Sunday before or the First Sunday of Lent.
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By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor
Every year on the first Sunday in Lent, bishops throughout the world welcome those who are preparing to join the Catholic Church.
On that day, the men and women – called catechumens – gather in their diocesan cathedral for the Rite of Election, a time when they are formally acknowledged by the bishop, or his delegate, for their readiness to receive the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist – at the Easter Vigil. Over the course of many months, even years, the catechumens have been learning about the Catholic Church through their studies, faith experiences and participation in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults in their parishes.
Such will be the occasion March 10 when about 150 women and men from Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties – along with their sponsors, families and RCIA team members – gather for the Rite of Election to be held at 3 p.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold.
“As someone who has participated in the Rite of Election a number of times, you can’t help but experience the power of this rite. It’s a power that can be seen in the eyes of the elect and the Catholic community in attendance,” said Steve Bulvanoski, diocesan RCIA coordinator. “The elect are shouting out their love of Christ and their desire to be his followers and the community witnesses this profession of faith.”
The Rite of Election, which coincides with the first Sunday of Lent, is a formal step along the path of those adults and children journeying toward reception into the Catholic Church. During the 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 at the Easter Vigil which this year will be celebrated April 20. The Rite of Election stems from the Christian practice for those preparing to be initiated into the Church, to declare 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 preparation for those participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the process through which adults enter the Catholic Church.
During the ceremony, the catechumens will be formally acknowledged to receive the Sacraments. In turn, the Church affirms that the catechumens are prepared and worthy to be admitted into the faith. Their sponsors also testify to their worthiness and eligibility for admission by the Bishop. Once accepted by the Bishop, the catechumens are publicly declared as “the elect.”
The rite also includes the official enrollment of the names of those requesting Baptism at the Easter Vigil into the Book of the Elect. The signing of the Book, which occurs during the Rite of Sending, takes place in a separate parish ceremony prior to the Rite of Election.
Others who will be taking a significant step in the life of the Diocese are those who have been baptized as Catholics or in other Christian faiths, but have not yet celebrated the additional Sacraments of Initiation – Confirmation and Eucharist. 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 during the Call to Continuing Conversion, a ceremony that may be celebrated in the RCIA candidates’ home parishes on the Sunday before or the First Sunday of Lent.
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