Preparing for the Rite of Election
and
Call to Continuing Conversion
Rite of Election and
Call to Continuing Conversion
Rite of Election
• Catechumen
• Not yet Baptised
• God Parents & Community
• Young catechumens 7-14 yrs
will be addressed separately
• Catechumens now known
as “The Elect”
Call to Continuing Conversion
• Candidates
• Already baptised
• Sponsors & Community
• Young Candidates 7-14yrs
will be addressed separately
• No change in title
Signs of Readiness
for the Second Step RCIA 120
• to have undergone a
conversion in mind and
in action
• to have developed
sufficient acquaintance
with Christian teaching
• to show a spirit of faith
and charity
• with enlightened faith
they must have the
intention to receive the
Sacraments of the
Church
Welcome to Shrewsbury Cathedral
The journey in faith until now, has been supported locally
by parishioners and RCIA team members.
Today the Diocesan family gather to witness and provide prayerful support for all
catechumens and candidates. This is a powerful reminder that our faith journey,
does not end with baptism. Each one of us is called through baptism to a life of love
and service, of daily, ongoing conversion of heart as each of us strives
to grow in the image of Christ.
Cathedral
Chapter House
…may be found on the left hand side of the Cathedral. This is where
the lead Catechist is asked to register the arrival of the Parish
group, It is essential that every Catechumen and every Candidate is
registered before you find a place to sit in the Cathedral.
Booking in is available from 2pm- 2.55pm.
(Latecomers' are asked to sign in at the rear of the Church with a Welcome Minister.)
The Cathedral Stewards ensure the day runs
smoothly. They can be found in yellow
jackets at the back of the Cathedral. They
are committed to ensuring this is a special
and happy event for everyonedon’t hesitate to ask if you need help.
Seats are reserved for Catechumens, God Parents, Candidates and Sponsors.
Those who are Catechumen and God Parents sit along the ends of the centre
aisle. The Candidates and Sponsors sit on the ends of the outside aisles.
Family and friends may sit near by if space allows.
Opening Hymn
• During the
opening hymn,
the Bishop and
priests walk in
procession onto
the Sanctuary.
The Bishop welcomes everyone to today’s celebration.
What can we expect of today’s Liturgy?
The Shape of todays Celebration
Welcome and Opening Prayer
1. Liturgy of the Word
2. Rite of Election
3. Call to continuing Conversion
•
•
The Rite of Election is for those
becoming new members of the church.
In the tradition of our church they are
called catechumens as they prepare to
receive the sacraments of Baptism,
Confirmation and Eucharist this Easter.
They are accompanied on their journey
towards full initiation by Godparents.
During the Rite of Election they will be
invited to "enrol" their names in the
"Book of the Elect". Their signature is a
public gesture symbolising their
commitment to proceed to the
celebration of the three Sacraments of
Initiation. After the Rite of Election,
catechumens will be known as "The
Elect".
The Call to Continuing Conversion is for
those who have already been baptised
either into the Catholic faith or into
another Christian tradition. They are
called candidates, during their
preparation to receive the Sacraments
of Confirmation and Eucharist at Easter
and thereby received into full
communion of the Catholic Church.
Candidates are accompanied on their
journey by Sponsors. As they have
already been baptised, their names
have already been recorded in the
book of “Ongoing Conversion" and will
be read aloud, as recognition of their
intention to proceed towards full
communion with the Church.
4. Prayers of Intercession
5. Blessing and Dismissal
The Liturgy of the Word
We begin by feasting on God’s Word, nourishing
ourselves by hearing the Lord calling Samuel and Jesus
invitation to
“ Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men”
Homily
This year Bishop Mark will offer a short reflection to deepen
our understanding of the Readings and the important step
the Catechumens and Candidates are about to take.
1st
The
Catechumen
and Godparent
both sign the
Book of the
Elect
2nd
The Bishop
greets the
Catechumen
and God Parent
at the Cathedra
Two signing points
are provided to
ensure the signing is
smoothly
completed.
The pages of the
Book of the Elect
are then bound
together before
being presented to
the Bishop.
The Rite of Election
…is a celebration of the catechumens response, their “yes” to the calling
of the Lord. Their commitment to undertake a lifetime of love and service
as followers of Christ. The catechumen are chosen and called by Christ
and the Bishop acting on behalf of Christ and his church, receives the
catechumens and accepts them as the “Elect of God”. As the Elect, they
enter the final period of preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation
(corresponding to the six weeks of Lent).
A God Parent places a hand upon the shoulder of the Catechumen as a sign of their support
and prayers and their lifelong commitment as spiritual companion.
The Bishop presents a crucifix as a reminder of this significant Step in the Journey of Faith. The
crucifix may be worn throughout Lent as an outward sign to parishioners that they belong to
the “Elect” and have entered a more intense period of preparation for the Celebration of the
Sacraments of Initiation at Easter. This encourages the parish community to offer their prayerful
support and thereby lead them to encounter Christ.
“To sing is to pray twice” ( St Augustine)
During the process of signing the Book of the Elect, the
parishioners, family and friends are expertly led by
Judith and the Cathedral choir, joining in sung hymns
and psalms as they witness to the commitment being
made today by their companions on the journey in faith.
Act of Election
Once all the names are enrolled in the Book of the Elect, the
Bishop continues “I now declare you to be members of the
Elect, to be initiated into the sacred mysteries at the next
Easter Vigil.” The Catechumens, now known as “ The Elect”
respond “ Thanks be to God”
Presentation of the Book of the Elect
After being presented to the Bishop, the Book of the
Elect is now placed in a position of honour.
The Call to Continuing Conversion
The “Book of Ongoing Conversion” contains the names
of all baptised Candidates and is taken in Procession to
the ambo. The names of all the Candidates preparing for
Confirmation and Eucharist are read aloud.
The Candidates meet the Bishop
As the Candidates hear their names called out, they stand and move
along the Centre aisle to meet the Bishop at the Cathedra. The Bishop
presents every Candidate with a crucifix as a visible reminder of the
commitment made today and to encourage parishioners to pray for
them during the remaining time of preparation.
Living our Baptismal commitment
“The initiation of adults is the responsibility of all the baptised. Therefore the
community must always be fully prepared in the pursuit of its apostolic vocation to
give help to those searching for Christ” (RCIA 9)
Parishioners family and friends today give witness by their presence, to this
important Second Step in the Journey of faith.
In return, the worshipping community experience a renewal in
enthusiasm and commitment in their own faith .
The Book of Ongoing Conversion
After everyone has been received by the Bishop at the Cathedra ,
the Book of Ongoing Conversion is presented to the Bishop and then
placed in a position of honour (alongside the Book of the Elect)
Prayers of Intercession
The community then prays for both The Elect and Candidates
in prayers of Intercession. Wider needs of the community,
family and friends, are also reflected in the prayers.
Blessing and Dismissal
As the celebration draws to a close the Bishop prays for the
Elect and Dismisses the congregation
“ Go in peace and may the Lord remain always with you”
The Celebration continues…
Everyone is warmly invited to the Shrewsbury High School (turn right as you
leave the Cathedral) where food and hot drinks will be available
and an opportunity to celebrate in style!
2013
Bishops Retreat 2nd February
at Our Lady Star of Sea, Ellesmere Port
Rite of Sending (10th February)
from home parish
Rite of Election 17th February
at Shrewsbury Cathedral
Mass of Thanksgiving 18th May
at Holy Angels, Hale Barns