Catechumens and Candidates Prepare for Easter Sacraments

By Carissa Krautscheid

On Sunday, March 6, Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger celebrated the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion at St. Augustine Cathedral. These combined ceremonies included Candidates and Catechumens from 27 parishes from across the Diocese of Tucson. Over 600 people attended.

In his homily, Bishop Weisenburger emphasized the importance of this Rite taking place as a Diocesan community. The Candidates and Catechumens are joining the universal Catholic Church. Though they have chosen to become fully initiated in the Catholic Church, it was Jesus who truly chose them first. This calling has a corresponding mission to love.

The ceremony began with the Liturgy of the Word, followed by the Rite of Election in which the Catechumens were presented to the Bishop. The 86 Catechumens, now called the Elect, are preparing to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist at the Easter Vigil Mass. Their godparents testified to their sincere intentions to enter the fullness of the Catholic Church. Then, the Books of the Elect were blessed by the Bishop.

Next came the Celebration of the Call to Continuing Conversion, during which the 123 Candidates for full initiation and reception into the Catholic Church were also presented to Bishop Weisenburger. These Candidates will complete their initiation through the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Easter Vigil Mass.

The entire Diocese of Tucson community is invited to pray for and journey with all those who are preparing to enter the fullness of the Catholic Church at Easter.

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In Yuma, the Rite of Election for 11 Catechumens and Call to Continuing Conversion for 49 Candidates took place on Sunday, February 20. Over 250 people attended this ceremony from the parish communities of Immaculate Conception, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Francis of Assisi, St. John Neumann, and St. Jude Thaddeus.

Parish communities present at the March 6 ceremony in Tucson were:

Corpus Christi, Tucson
Most Holy Trinity, Tucson
Our Lady of the Mountains, Sierra Vista
Our Lady of Lourdes, Benson
Our Lady of the Valley, Green Valley
Our Mother of Sorrows, Tucson
Sacred Heart, Tucson
Saints Peter and Paul, Tucson
San Martin de Porres, Sahuarita
San Xavier Mission, Tucson
Santa Catalina, Tucson
Santa Cruz, Tucson
St. Andrew the Apostle, Sierra Vista
St. Augustine Cathedral, Tucson
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Tucson
St. George, Apache Junction
St. Helen of the Cross, Eloy
St. John the Evangelist, Tucson
St. Joseph, Tucson
St. Margaret Mary, Tucson
St. Mark the Evangelist, Oro Valley
St. Michael the Archangel, San Tan Valley
St. Monica, Tucson
St. Odilia, Oro Valley
St. Rita in the Desert, Vail
St. Thomas the Apostle, Tucson
St. Thomas More Newman Center