The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion

​By Sister Lois Paha, O.P.

Each year as we come into the Lenten season we walk with hundreds of people who are making this Lenten journey in a new way. These are the men and women who have heard the call of Christ in their lives to follow him as members of the Catholic Church. They become part of the Christian Initiation process in their parishes and follow the rituals and catechesis of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).  
On or near the first Sunday of Lent they go through the Rite of Election for the Catechumens (non-baptized) and the Call to Continuing Conversion for the Candidates (already baptized). This Rite is presided over by the bishop and brings the people with their godparents and sponsors from all the parishes together for the celebration.  
On Sunday, February 22nd at St. Augustine Cathedral in Tucson, Bishop James Misko welcomed 248 Catechumens and 282 Candidates from 33 parishes.  There were more than 1,000 people in the cathedral that day. On Tuesday, February 24th, at St. John Neuman Parish, in Yuma, Bishop Misko welcomed 39 Catechumens and 89 Candidates from five parishes.  The catechumens are now called the Elect.  They will receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion for the first time at the Easter Vigil celebrated in their parishes. Those already baptized in Christ will renew their Baptismal promises and receive Confirmation and Holy Communion.  Each person has an inspiring story of God’s marvelous work in their lives.  We welcome with open arms these 658 new Catholics to our Church of the Diocese of Tucson!  
Lent calls us all to conversion, to renew our lives and to turn again to the Lord. We see conversion vividly in the lives of these Catechumens and Candidates who are preparing for the Easter celebration.  As we witness their commitment, we also prepare for the renewal of our Baptismal Promises on Easter morning!