With love and support, parishes send their catechumens to Rite of Election with Bishop O'Connell
February 18, 2024 at 12:05 p.m.
As the nearly 250 catechumens from around the Diocese prepare to head to St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, Feb. 18 for the 3 p.m. Rite of Election ceremony with Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., some were given a special sendoff by their parish communities.
The Rite of Sending, which occurs near or on the first Sunday of Lent, is when the catechumens – those who will be baptized, confirmed and receive First Eucharist during the Easter Vigil – are first recognized by their pastor and fellow parishioners. During Sunday Mass, the catechumens are prayed for, blessed and sent forth to the Rite of Election, where Bishop O’Connell 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. During the Rite of Sending, the catechumens sign the Book of the Elect, a formal record of the names of those from the parish who are preparing for Baptism.
Parishes can choose when to celebrate Rite of Sending ceremonies. Some parishes, like St. Anthony of Padua, Hightstown, held the ceremony a week or two prior to Rite of Election while others, such as St. Pius X, Forked River, and Corpus Christi, Willingboro, held the ceremony the morning of Rite of Election.
Check back on TrentonMonitor.com to view full coverage of the Rite of Election.
Eduardo Lopez signs the Book of the Elect during the Rite of Sending ceremony held in Corpus Christi Church, Willingboro. Looking on is Lopez's godparent, Matt Laughland. Mary Stadnyk photo
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As the nearly 250 catechumens from around the Diocese prepare to head to St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, Feb. 18 for the 3 p.m. Rite of Election ceremony with Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., some were given a special sendoff by their parish communities.
The Rite of Sending, which occurs near or on the first Sunday of Lent, is when the catechumens – those who will be baptized, confirmed and receive First Eucharist during the Easter Vigil – are first recognized by their pastor and fellow parishioners. During Sunday Mass, the catechumens are prayed for, blessed and sent forth to the Rite of Election, where Bishop O’Connell 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. During the Rite of Sending, the catechumens sign the Book of the Elect, a formal record of the names of those from the parish who are preparing for Baptism.
Parishes can choose when to celebrate Rite of Sending ceremonies. Some parishes, like St. Anthony of Padua, Hightstown, held the ceremony a week or two prior to Rite of Election while others, such as St. Pius X, Forked River, and Corpus Christi, Willingboro, held the ceremony the morning of Rite of Election.
Check back on TrentonMonitor.com to view full coverage of the Rite of Election.
Eduardo Lopez signs the Book of the Elect during the Rite of Sending ceremony held in Corpus Christi Church, Willingboro. Looking on is Lopez's godparent, Matt Laughland. Mary Stadnyk photo