‘God has called you’
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Catechumens and their godparents stand as their names are called by parish representatives.
Rite of Election welcomes largest group of catechumens in recent years
Each year, the Rite of Election is held on the first Sunday of Lent, but this year, the ceremony looked a little (or perhaps a lot) different. On March 9, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse was filled with more than 600 people from all across the diocese, including about 134 catechumens, the largest group the diocese has had in recent years.
Before the Introductory Rites began, Father Christopher Seibt, vice chancellor for the diocese and episcopal master of ceremonies, noted that the large group of catechumens gathered at the Cathedral represented “a remarkable number in the Diocese of Syracuse,” and the assembly responded with applause.
After being presented to the Bishop, catechumens sign their names in the Book of the Elect.
The Rite of Election is a step taken by catechumens in the process of OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — those who seek full initiation into the Catholic Church through Baptism, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. At the Rite of Election, sometimes called the Enrollment of Names, catechumens’ godparents and the gathered assembly give their testimony that the catechumens are ready to celebrate the sacraments of initiation at Easter. The catechumens confirm their intention to proceed, are called by name and presented to the bishop, and then sign their names in the Book of the Elect. From this time forward, the catechumens are now referred to as the Elect.
Also in attendance at the Rite of Election were OCIA candidates: those who have been validly baptized in the Christian faith and now wish to complete their sacraments of initiation through Holy Eucharist and/or Confirmation.
The large group of catechumens whose names are now inscribed in the Book of the Elect span a wide variety of ages, from youngsters to adults. They represent 44 OCIA programs and 65 parishes within the diocese. Receiving the Rite of Election marked an important milestone in their journey toward joining the church.
“It’s refreshing,” said Owen Wing, a catechumen from St. Mary’s of the Lake Parish in Skaneateles. “It was not something that I necessarily thought I would be doing earlier on in my life … I’m very fortunate. I feel blessed to have people around me that have helped lead me on this journey, and it’s very exciting.” He added that it was his family that encouraged him on his journey: “being close to them, and having eternal life.”
Family serves as a strong foundation for many of the catechumens as they continue preparing to officially join the wider family of the Catholic Church at Easter.
Leah Lambert, a catechumen from Holy Family Parish in Endwell, was there with her husband of two years, Dennis Tchir. He is a “cradle Catholic” who helped lead her in her faith journey to join the church. “This has been something that has kind of been missing my whole life. Going through this with him, it’s been really special,” Lambert said.
In attendance with his young children and his wife, who is a candidate preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, Matt Fantacone, from Sacred Heart parish in Cicero, said, “It’s extremely exciting. My daughter is also going through to be baptized and confirmed and receive the Eucharist, as well. So we’re all very happy and blessed.”
Reflecting on what it means to be going through the process as a family, he added, “It brings us all together, really, you know, getting back into the church, doing more with the church. It grows our faith together, which is awesome.”
In his homily, Bishop Douglas J. Lucia described the season of Lent as a time when we strive to deepen our understanding of the Christian faith, “a time for reflection and renewal and a time to make a new start,” which is particularly significant for the catechumens who are making a new start in the Catholic religion.
Addressing the catechumens directly, he continued, “God has called you and now God chooses you this Lord’s day for the Easter sacraments in which you will be baptized and confirmed and share for the very first time in the Eucharist … As you come closer and closer to the plunging waters of Baptism and the new life they signify, please know that all the members of the church of Syracuse will be praying for you during these 40 days, from the Southern Tier to the Mohawk Valley to salmon country right back down to the city.”
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the process of Christian initiation, contact a Catholic parish close to you or reach out to the diocesan Office of Liturgy and OCIA at 315-470-1420.
