Rite of Election to be held in parishes this year

February 10, 2021 at 10:41 p.m.
Rite of Election to be held in parishes this year
Rite of Election to be held in parishes this year

Mary Stadnyk

This year’s Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent, Feb. 21, will be different than in past years. But the Rite will continue to remain a significant major milestone for those who participate.

Because of the restrictions surrounding the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Rite of Election will not bring the catechumens – those women and men who are preparing to become Catholic at the coming Easter Vigil – together with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., for a diocesan celebration.

Instead, Bishop O’Connell has delegated that the Rite of Election be celebrated at the parish level and presided over by the pastors.

The Rite of Election is a liturgical rite that is essential in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the Church’s process for preparing unbaptized persons who are seeking to become in full communion with the Church through educational and spiritual formation. At the Rite of Election, the catechumens declare their intentions to become fully initiated Catholic Christians when they receive the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist – at the Easter Vigil, which this year falls on April 3.

During the Rite of Election, the Bishop formally acknowledges the readiness of the catechumens and calls them to the reception of the Sacraments. Once accepted by the Bishop, the catechumens are publicly declared as “the elect.”


Related Stories

This year’s Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent, Feb. 21, will be different than in past years. But the Rite will continue to remain a significant major milestone for those who participate.

Because of the restrictions surrounding the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Rite of Election will not bring the catechumens – those women and men who are preparing to become Catholic at the coming Easter Vigil – together with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., for a diocesan celebration.

Instead, Bishop O’Connell has delegated that the Rite of Election be celebrated at the parish level and presided over by the pastors.

The Rite of Election is a liturgical rite that is essential in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the Church’s process for preparing unbaptized persons who are seeking to become in full communion with the Church through educational and spiritual formation. At the Rite of Election, the catechumens declare their intentions to become fully initiated Catholic Christians when they receive the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist – at the Easter Vigil, which this year falls on April 3.

During the Rite of Election, the Bishop formally acknowledges the readiness of the catechumens and calls them to the reception of the Sacraments. Once accepted by the Bishop, the catechumens are publicly declared as “the elect.”

Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


Nuevos santos para que los jóvenes imiten
Nuestro Santo Padre el Papa Francisco ha dado a los jóvenes...

OSV Editors: Before the holiday rush
If it seems like a long lead-up to Thanksgiving this year...

Raising Catholic kids is intentional, Bishop says at NDHS talk
“Talk to your kids,” was the advice of Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. ...

Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin.
In crafting the biopic "Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin." (Angel), writer-director...

Novel set in Dante's 'Inferno' perfect reading for November
The month of November is a natural time to turn one's thoughts...


The Evangelist, 40 North Main Ave., Albany, NY, 12203-1422 | PHONE: 518-453-6688| FAX: 518-453-8448
© 2024 Trenton Monitor, All Rights Reserved.