Despite bone-chilling temperatures, catechumens — along with their sponsors, godparents, families, pastors and RCIA team leaders — from around the diocese gathered at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Feb. 14 to participate in the Rite of Election.
The rite marks a significant step on the catechumens’ journey to full communion with the Catholic Church. Catechumens are individuals who have not been baptized and are preparing for baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation in the Church. Some 64 catechumens from 33 parishes are preparing to enter the Church at this year’s Easter Vigil.
Bishop Robert J. Cunningham’s homily from the celebration appears on page 3 of this issue. On these pages, moments from the rite, as Bishop Cunningham greets catechumens, catechumens sign the Book of the Elect, and Bishop Cunningham reads the Act of Election.
