FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ray Delisle
508-791-5357

On the Road to Full Participation in the Catholic Church

Rite of Election held for catechumens preparing for Easter

February 24, 2015, Worcester, MA -- On Sunday, February 22 at 3:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Worcester, 201 candidates along with their sponsors and families participated in various rites leading to completing their initiation into the Catholic Church. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adult (RCIA) is the sacramental process used worldwide in the Roman Catholic Church through which people prepare for initiation, or come into full communion, or complete their initiation into the Roman Catholic Church.
Ninety-nine adults and children celebrated the Rite of Election, the second step in their journey to full initiation at Easter. In the ceremony, Bishop McManus accepted the testimony of their sponsors and declared them worthy candidates for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist which they will celebrate in their parishes at the Easter Vigil.
Thirty adults baptized in other Christian traditions are seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. They were recognized by the Bishop and are called to continuing conversion throughout this season of Lent as they prepare for full Eucharistic sharing at Easter. Another seventy-two adult Catholics will also be recognized and called to complete their initiation through the sacrament of Confirmation in the near future.
These candidates are from more than 37 parishes and two Catholic colleges around the Diocese of Worcester. The Rite of Election ceremony is celebrated annually on the First Sunday of Lent in cathedrals throughout the world as part of the RCIA.