Rite of Christian Initiation

Photos by L.A. Faille

  
People preparing to receive the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil in parishes around the diocese gathered Sunday at St. Paul Cathedral with Bishop McManus and their godparents, sponsors and other supporters.  They were participating in the Rite of Election of Catechumens and the Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates Who Seek to Complete their Christian Initiation, a key step in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.  This year there are 107 catechumens (unbaptized persons), 32 candidates for full Communion (baptized non-Catholics), and 104 baptized Catholics completing their initiation, from 43 parishes, according to Elizabeth Marcil, director of the diocesan Office of Religious Education.  Catechumens are called by name and parish and they offer their names for enrollment, writing on pages for the Book of the Elect. They and their godparents then greet the bishop, who declares them “members of the elect.” A simpler process, without the enrollment of names, follows for the candidates. At right, Nitza Rivera, from Blessed John Paul II Parish in Southbridge, stands with fellow catechumens. Above, Elizabeth Marcil carries the Book of the Elect to Bishop McManus.