Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
22 Feb 2013
22 Feb 2013
Bishop Julian Porteous was Principal Celebrant at the Rite of Election
Bishop Julian Porteous welcomed 238 catechumens and candidates into the Church at St Mary's Cathedral's Rite of Election ceremony which is traditionally held on the first Sunday in Lent.
"Today marks a moment in which you can be assured the Church accepts you and looks forward with great anticipation to Easter when you will become fully part of her family," he said explaining that as the group of 194 catechumens and the 44 candidates for the Eucharist, who are converting to the Catholic faith from other Christian denominations, that this final phase is not so much a time of instruction but a time of spiritual preparation.
"It is a period in which you are encouraged to deepen your life of prayer, to listen more attentively to the Word of God, to give more time to quietly seeking the presence of God. It is the time to ask for the full gift of God's grace offered to you at Easter," Bishop Julian told the catechumens and candidates along with more than 700 family, friends and fellow parishioners who attended the ceremony at the Cathedral.
Bishop Julian Porteous welcomes candidates and catechumens into the Church
The Rite of Election marks the final phase for catechumens from parishes and Catholic communities across Sydney in their formation into the Catholic faith.
"The Church rejoices this day throughout the world as thousands of men and women are enrolled to be baptised or received into the Church at Easter," Bishop Julian said.
The final stage for catechumens and candidates will take place at the Easter Vigil when they are fully incorporated into Christ and the Church. This is when they become known as neophytes, the new members of the Church and enter into the full life of the Catholic community.
Within the Archdiocese of Sydney the number of catechumens entering the church continues to increase with each year along with the numbers of those from other Christian denominations who wish to become Catholic.
At the Rite of Election at St Mary's Cathedral last year, 180 Catechumens were enrolled while 45 baptised men and women different Christian denominations were accepted as Candidates for the Eucharist. This year the numbers for Candidates has remained steady while the number of Catechumens has increased by 14.
More than 700 friends and family attended the Rite of Election at St Mary's Cathedral
Each of these Catechumens and Candidates have been drawn to the Church by different experiences and circumstances, with different stories to tell of their journeys toward God, Bishop Julian explained.
The Candidates at this year's ceremony came from 22 of Sydney's parishes while catechumens came from 33 parishes including some from the Vietnamese Catholic Community at Revesby, the Chinese Catholic Pastoral Centre in Haymarket and the Indonesia Catholic Community at Randwick.
Bishop Julian signs the Book of Elect for each parish or community represented at the Rite of Election
For the 194 catechumens enrolled on Sunday, the journey began many months ago when they embarked on the first stage by beginning their formation and learning the values of the Gospel. In addition at the many parishes which offer the Rite of Christian Initiation Adults (RCIA), these pre- catechumens had the opportunity to question and explore different aspects of the Catholic faith.
The next stage involves what is known as the Ritual First Step, a more formal commitment when pre-catechumens learn about the Catholic faith and undertake faith formation. This is when the enquirer accepted by the Church as a catechumen, after which the longest and most formal part of the process begins. In this phase, catechumens not only continues their studies and faith formation but they are expected to participate with the broader Catholic community and parishes, not only Sundays but throughout the week so that prayer, learning and the power of God becomes part of their lives each and every day.
After this period, comes the Rite of Election when the Church accepts the petition of catechumens together with the testimony of the Catholic community, and enrols them as the elect.
As part of the ceremony their names are inscribed in the Book of the Elect, which is held by each parish or community.
Representatives from each parish or ethnic community are an important part of the
Rite of Election
The third and final stage is the sacred process known as the Period of Purification and Enlightenment, which takes place during Lent and is marked by three community celebrations, known as the Scrutinies. The Scrutinies coincide with the third, fourth and fifth Sunday in Lent, when the elect and their local Catholic parish focus on their lives in light of the Gospel and ask God for healing and forgiveness.
The final and most important state, the Third Ritual Step takes place during the Easter Vigil which is when each catechumen is full incorporated into Christ and the Church by Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Sacraments and Eucharist.
"You will be changed. You will have a new identity as Son or Daughter of God," Bishop Julian told the Catechumens and Candidates last Sunday. "In some 40 days you will receive the great Sacraments by which God will enter and transform your lives. These will be moments of great grace and will be personal experiences which will stay with you for the rest of your life."
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 93905951 or go to www.rcia.org.au
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
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