Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion

  

Each year as we come into the Lenten season, we walk with hundreds of people who are making this Lenten journey in a new way.  These are the men and women who have heard the call of Christ in their lives to follow him as members of the Catholic Church. They become part of the Christian Initiation process in their parishes and follow the rituals and catechesis of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).  

On or near the first Sunday of Lent they go through the Rite of Election for the Catechumens (non-baptized) and the Call to Continuing Conversion for the Candidates (already baptized.)  This Rite is presided over by the Bishop and brings the people with their godparents and sponsors from all the parishes together for the celebration. 

On Sunday, February 23rd, at St. John Neumann parish in Yuma, Archbishop Weisenburger welcomed 24 Catechumens  and 55 Candidates from five parishes. On Sunday, March 9th at St. Augustine Cathedral, in his final liturgical celebration with us before moving on to the Archdiocese of Detroit, Archbishop Weisenburger welcomed 175 Catechumens and 213 Candidates from 31 parishes.  The catechumens are now called the Elect.  They will be baptized, confirmed and received Holy Communion for the first time at the Easter Vigil celebrated in their parishes. The Candidates are already baptized in Christ and will renew the faith of their baptism by receiving Confirmation and Holy Communion.  Each person has an inspiring story of God’s marvelous work in their lives.  We welcome with open arms these 466 new Catholics to our Church of the Diocese of Tucson! 

Lent calls each one of us to conversion, to look into our hearts and turn again to the Lord. We see this example of conversion vividly in the lives of these Catechumens and Candidates who are preparing for the Easter celebration of the sacraments.  As we witness their commitment, we have the opportunity to prepare for the renewal of our Baptismal Promises on Easter morning!