Rite of Election 2018

On Sunday, February 18th, Bishop Nelson Perez welcomed hundreds of Catechumens (non-baptized) and Candidates (baptized in another tradition) from every parish in the diocese to the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist to celebrate the Rite of Election.  Every parish was called by name and came before the Bishop bearing the Book of the Elect which each Catechumen had signed at their parish during the Rite of Sending.  Behind the book-bearer came the Catechumens with their godparents/sponsors and Bishop Perez met each one and shook their hand; he then declared all the non-baptized as The Elect of God.  They will receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.  Bishop Perez then welcomed the Candidates and met and shook hands with each of them and their sponsors.  They will be fully initiated at the Easter Vigil through Confirmation and Eucharist.  The Rite of Election is normally celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent in dioceses around the world.  We ask that you keep our Elect, Dennis Canter, the Elect and Candidates from our cluster partner, St. Augustine, and those around the world in your prayers as they continue to walk the journey toward initiation into the Catholic Church.