Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese REPORT:
23 Feb 2012
More than 700 friends, family and fellow parishioners will attend the 2012 Rite of Election and Presentation of Baptised Candidates to be held at St Mary's Cathedral on Sunday, 26 February.
The Rite of Election is traditionally held on the first Sunday of Lent each year which marks one of the final phases for catechumens from parishes and Catholic communities across Sydney in their formation and conversion to the Catholic faith.
This year 180 catechumens will have their names enrolled as "the elect," as will a further 45 baptised candidates who are converting to the Catholic faith from other Christian denominations.
"Every year hundreds of people decide to become Catholics and each one has their own special story," says Bishop Julian Porteous, the Archdiocese of Sydney's Episcopal Vicar of Evangelisation and Renewal who will preside over the Rite of Election and Presentation of Baptised Candidates at the Cathedral on Sunday.
"Each one is drawn to the Church by different experiences and circumstances," he says, explaining that any journey towards the Church is a journey towards God.
One of the stand-out factors in this year's group of catechumens and candidates are the predominance of young men and women, most of whom are under 30 and who wish to join the Catholic Church. Another is the significant number of those from Sydney's Korean, Vietnamese, Korean, Indonesian and Chinese communities.
The number of young people is further evidence of the increasing search among Gen X and Gen Y for deeper meaning to their lives.
In today's secular society where instant gratification and materialism dominates, more and more young people are turning to the Church where they are discovering the true meaning of life through the power and love of the Lord, Bishop Julian believes.
For the city's Asian-Australians, the Korean, Vietnamese, Indonesia or Chinese Catholic communities provide powerful examples of faith and solidarity, and inspire others to participate and discover the Lord for themselves.
Others who are baptised candidates and now converting to the Catholic faith, the decision is often similar to those of young people as a search for deeper meaning and rediscover the Lord through the Church and its traditions, as well as their local parish's commitment and ongoing loving support.
Possibly two of the most well-known Christians who converted to the Catholic faith in later life are the former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair and current Opposition Shadow Minister, Malcolm Turnbull.
Prior to becoming Catechumens-elect, adults wishing to be accepted into the Catholic Church, spend several weeks or months - there is no specified time limit - as a pre-Catechumenate during which time they begin their formation, learn the values of the Gospel and at the many parishes which offer the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) have an opportunity to question and explore different aspects of the Catholic faith.
The next stage involves what is known as the First Ritual Step, a more formal commitment to learning about the Catholic faith and faith formation is undertaken. This is when the enquirer is accepted by the Church as a Catechumen. After this, the Catechumenate begins, which is the longest and most formal part of the process. In this phase the Catechumen not only continues with studies and faith formation, but is expected to participate with the whole Catholic community in their Sunday celebrations. During this phase through prayer, learning and coming to know other Catholic Christians, the Catechumen discovers the love and power of God in their lives and in the Church.
After this period, the Rite of Election takes place on the first Sunday of Lent which celebrates the conclusion of the period of formation. This is when the Church accepts their petition and the testimony of the Catholic community and enrols them as the elect.
The third stage of this sacred process is known as the Period of Purification and Enlightenment and takes place during Lent and is marked by three community celebrations known as the Scrutinies. The Scrutinies coincide with the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent when the elect and the local Catholic community focus on their lives in light of the Gospel and ask God for healing and forgiveness of the elect.
The Third Ritual Step for catechumen-elects takes place at the Easter Vigil. This is when they are fully incorporated into Christ and the Church by Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Sacraments and Eucharist.
Now known as neophytes, the new members of the Church enter the final and fourth phase known as the Period of Mystagogy. This is when neophytes reflect, pray and join those in their parish and become incorporated into the full life of the Catholic community.
The Rite of Election and Presentation of Baptised Candidates will take place at St Mary's Cathedral at 2 pm on Sunday, 26 February.
To find out more about embracing the Catholic Faith or converting from another Christian denomination, contact the Archdiocese of Sydney's Catechumenate Office by phoning 02 9390 5951 or log on to www.rcia.org.au
http://www.sydneycatholic.org/news/latest_news/2012/2012223_307.shtml
23 Feb 2012
Cardinal Pell baptises catechumen-elects
during the Easter Vigil 2010
The Rite of Election is traditionally held on the first Sunday of Lent each year which marks one of the final phases for catechumens from parishes and Catholic communities across Sydney in their formation and conversion to the Catholic faith.
This year 180 catechumens will have their names enrolled as "the elect," as will a further 45 baptised candidates who are converting to the Catholic faith from other Christian denominations.
"Every year hundreds of people decide to become Catholics and each one has their own special story," says Bishop Julian Porteous, the Archdiocese of Sydney's Episcopal Vicar of Evangelisation and Renewal who will preside over the Rite of Election and Presentation of Baptised Candidates at the Cathedral on Sunday.
"Each one is drawn to the Church by different experiences and circumstances," he says, explaining that any journey towards the Church is a journey towards God.
Many young people are
embracing the Catholic Church
and the Lord as they seek
deeper meaning to their lives
The number of young people is further evidence of the increasing search among Gen X and Gen Y for deeper meaning to their lives.
In today's secular society where instant gratification and materialism dominates, more and more young people are turning to the Church where they are discovering the true meaning of life through the power and love of the Lord, Bishop Julian believes.
For the city's Asian-Australians, the Korean, Vietnamese, Indonesia or Chinese Catholic communities provide powerful examples of faith and solidarity, and inspire others to participate and discover the Lord for themselves.
Others who are baptised candidates and now converting to the Catholic faith, the decision is often similar to those of young people as a search for deeper meaning and rediscover the Lord through the Church and its traditions, as well as their local parish's commitment and ongoing loving support.
Possibly two of the most well-known Christians who converted to the Catholic faith in later life are the former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair and current Opposition Shadow Minister, Malcolm Turnbull.
when joining the Church as adults men and women
are taught and guided by priests and their local
Catholic community
The next stage involves what is known as the First Ritual Step, a more formal commitment to learning about the Catholic faith and faith formation is undertaken. This is when the enquirer is accepted by the Church as a Catechumen. After this, the Catechumenate begins, which is the longest and most formal part of the process. In this phase the Catechumen not only continues with studies and faith formation, but is expected to participate with the whole Catholic community in their Sunday celebrations. During this phase through prayer, learning and coming to know other Catholic Christians, the Catechumen discovers the love and power of God in their lives and in the Church.
After this period, the Rite of Election takes place on the first Sunday of Lent which celebrates the conclusion of the period of formation. This is when the Church accepts their petition and the testimony of the Catholic community and enrols them as the elect.
Bishop Julian Porteous
The Third Ritual Step for catechumen-elects takes place at the Easter Vigil. This is when they are fully incorporated into Christ and the Church by Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Sacraments and Eucharist.
Now known as neophytes, the new members of the Church enter the final and fourth phase known as the Period of Mystagogy. This is when neophytes reflect, pray and join those in their parish and become incorporated into the full life of the Catholic community.
The Rite of Election and Presentation of Baptised Candidates will take place at St Mary's Cathedral at 2 pm on Sunday, 26 February.
To find out more about embracing the Catholic Faith or converting from another Christian denomination, contact the Archdiocese of Sydney's Catechumenate Office by phoning 02 9390 5951 or log on to www.rcia.org.au
http://www.sydneycatholic.org/news/latest_news/2012/2012223_307.shtml
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