During this first week of Lent, Bishop Erik Pohlmeier celebrated four rites of election in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine with what will be 1,263 new Catholics.
The rite of election is an ancient rite where the bishop examines and is presented with worthy baptized and unbaptized people to call to the Easter Sacraments.
At the rite, the bishop questions the sponsors, those gathered, and the people themselves. The questions asked pertain to listening to the Word of God, walking in God’s presence, persevering in prayer, and beginning to lead a life of a Catholic.
Within the OCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) the rite of election is the second major ritual of the process.
These catechumens and candidates have been “elected” or “chosen” by God to receive the Sacraments of Initiation.
Candidates are those who have already been baptized, while catechumens are those preparing for baptism.
The first part of this ritual is celebrated in the home parish of each elected person, and it is called the rite of sending. If they are found ready, they are sent to the bishop for his approval of their entrance into the Church.
During the season of Lent, those called to the Easter Sacraments will begin the “period of purification and enlightenment,” a time for intense, spiritual reflection that will extend to the Easter Vigil.
These catechumens and candidates will purify their hearts and minds by celebrating several other minor rituals that will prepare them for receiving the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil or in the case of many of the candidates, on one of the Sundays of the Easter Season.
This process of initiation continues with the period known as mystagogia, which follows full initiation into the Catholic Church. The word mystagogia comes from a Greek word that signifies a deepening of the understanding of the mysteries of the faith.
While this period lasts for a lifetime once initiated, most parishes provide the neophytes or those “newly planted” with a variety of opportunities during the Easter Season to experience life as a part of the Body of Christ and get started on their mission to bring Christ to the world.
Photos by Fran Ruchalski
