Hundreds being welcomed into Catholic Church

Lent marks final journey for hundreds on the road to Full Participation in the Catholic Church
Rite of Election welcomes catechumens preparing for Easter
March 6, 2017, Worcester, MA – The Cathedral of St. Paul in Worcester was at near capacity on Sunday, March 6 at 3:00 p.m. when 215 catechumens and 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.
            The Rite of Election was celebrated by 114 adults and children, 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 six adults baptized in other Christian traditions are seeking full communion with the Catholic Church.  They were recognized by the Bishop and “called to continuing conversion throughout this season of Lent as they prepare for full Eucharistic sharing at Easter.”  Another sixty-five adult Catholics were also recognized and called to complete their initiation through the sacrament of Confirmation in the near future.
            These catechumens and candidates come from 40 parishes and one college’s campus ministry in the Diocese of Worcester.  The liturgical ceremony is celebrated annually on the First Sunday of Lent in cathedrals throughout the world as part of the RCIA.