Most Rev. Joseph A. Galante, Bishop of Camden, will preside at the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion at two locations in the diocese on Sunday, February 21, 2010:
St. Agnes Church in Blackwood at 2 PM
Church of St. Bernadette in Northfield at 6 PM
The Rite of Election marks a significant step for catechumens who are preparing to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. Eighty-four catechumens from 47 parishes will participate in the Rite this year.
At the Rite the catechumens are asked: “Do you wish to enter fully into the life of the Church through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist?” They respond “We do.”
The catechumens have already inscribed their names in the Book of the Elect at a ceremony in their respective parishes. Led forward by their parish RCIA Coordinator, who carries the Book of the Elect, they are greeted personally by the Bishop.
He then declares that the catechumens are to be called “The Elect” until they receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
In the Diocese of Camden, the Rite of Election is also a Call to Continuing Conversion for those who have already been baptized. Those who are already baptized and seek to make a Profession of Faith and be admitted to the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist are also included in the liturgy on this day as a sign that God is calling them to full Communion with the Catholic Church.
Insituted by Pope Paul VI in 1972, RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is the process by which adult converts are received into full communion with the Catholic Church.
It takes place in four stages: 1) Pre-Catechumenate or Inquiry phase; 2) Catechumenate phase (formation and introduction to Catholic life; 3) Election phase; 4) Mystagogy (period after initiation at the Easter Vigil during which the newly baptized receive additional catechesis on liturgy and the sacraments and share in the life of the Church).