Over 1,000 seek to become Catholics this Lent (Photos/ video)
The Call to Continuing Conversion and The Rite of Election are rituals when catechumens and candidates who are called to become Catholics are held at Cathedrals around the world on the First Sunday of Lent. This year, the Archdiocese of Newark has even more to celebrate: the largest number of catechumens and candidates in over a decade will become Catholics within the Archdiocese of Newark this Lenten season.
On Feb. 17 and 18, the Archdiocese of Newark held the celebratory weekend at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart with 1,125 people from parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Newark celebrating the rites. Two services were held on Saturday with 680 Call to Conversion candidates, and two services were held on Sunday for the 445 Rite of Election catechumens. It was standing room only as family and friends packed the cathedral to celebrate with the catechumens.
The Rite of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion is held for candidates who have already been baptized and want to experience communion and confirmation into the Catholic Church. The Rite of Election is for catechumens who have not been baptized and are called to enter the Catholic Church. Their baptism will take place on Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil.
“This is the largest number of people participating in these rituals for at least 10 years, possibly longer, and is positive proof that something wonderful is happening in the Archdiocese of Newark,” Father Armand Mantia, Archdiocesan Director of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, said. “At a time when so many in the world are so negative about faith and the Church, the Holy Spirit has touched the hearts of these people and called them to embrace the new life that Jesus offers them.”
To prepare for the rites, both candidates and catechumens participate in formation programs to help them understand and experience the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church.
The rites are a joyful time for the catechumens and the candidates marking the final preparation phase and a grand public declaration that they have finally decided to answer God’s call to become Catholics. The rituals take place in a cathedral by the bishop — or Cardinal in the Archdiocese of Newark’s case. Their decision to become Catholic is made public at the service with their sponsors or godparents and ministers, who speak in favor of the candidates and catechumens.
One Catehuman’s story
Frank Been was one of the catechumens on Sunday. He grew up in the Mormon Church, was never baptized, and lost his faith when he was 15. He even discouraged his niece, whom he was raising, from believing in God, he said.
“I felt I was my own controller,” he said. But later he began searching for something more and felt that someone else or something else was guiding his path. After marrying his wife, a Catholic from Mexico, and having two daughters both baptized Catholic, he began to search out the Catholic faith. When the girls began preparing for their First Communion, he decided it was time he got baptized as well.
“I wanted to learn the great story of God and the path of Jesus,” he said about experiencing the Eucharist.
With the urging and support of his children’s godmother, he began RCIA last September at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, adding they were very welcoming and supportive. When he had to make a move to Pennsylvania, he was able to continue his studies. On Sunday, Feb. 18, he was among the 445 catechumens who signed the Book of Elect and was blessed by Cardinal Joseph Tobin C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark. He chose his children’s godmother to be his own as well.
The rites
At both rites, the First Reading was from Genesis 9, the Covenant with Noah and his sons: “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth.”
The Gospel was from Mark 1, the story of Jesus being tempted by Satan and how the angels ministered to Him.
In his homily, Cardinal Tobin told the story of a little girl who is lost and cannot remember where she lives. The police drive her around until she recognizes her church and only then can she remember the way home from her church.
“We may forget where we come from, where we are going, but the Church guides us home. Our compass is Jesus. No matter how far we stray, Jesus is the breadcrumbs that leads us home,” Cardinal Tobin said.
During the celebration, the candidates and catechumens are presented to the Cardinal by standing as his or her name is called by Father Mantia.
In the Act of Recognition, Cardinal Tobin addressed the candidates: “Candidates, the Church recognizes your desire to be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and to have a place at Christ’s Eucharistic table. Join with us this Lent in a spirit of repentance. Hear the Lord’s call to conversion and be faithful to your baptismal covenant.”
To the catechumens, the Cardinal said: “My dear catechumens, I now declare you to be members of the Elect, to be initiated into the sacred mysteries at the next Easter Vigil.”
At the Rite of Election, the catechumens sign the Book of the Elect from their corresponding parish.
Once all the signatures have been collected, the Parish Director of RCIA then holds the book above his or her head facing the names to the crowd as they lead the catechumens and their godparents to the sanctuary for the Cardinal’s prayer.
As many of the candidates and catechumens are Spanish-speaking, the rites were said in both Spanish and English.
Preparing for the Easter Vigil
The Elect will now experience a ritual known as The Scrutinies during Mass at their local parish during the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent. It is a period of purification and enlightenment for the Elect, those wishing to be baptized.
After spending a year in Catechumenate at their parishes, the Elect will become full Catholics and initiated on March 30 at the Saturday Easter Vigil. The Continuing Conversion Candidates will celebrate Confirmation and/or Eucharist on any Sunday of the Easter Season.
The history of the Rite of Election and Enrollment of Names goes back as early as the 2nd century of the Church. Those wanting to be baptized would give their names to the priest before Lent. If the pastor thought they were ready, he would submit their names to the bishop. At the beginning of Lent, all those seeking baptism would go before the bishop who would question the catechumens and their godparents about the catechumens’ lifestyle. If the bishop discerned the catechumens were ready, their names were inscribed on a scroll. The bishop would send away the catechumens he thought needed more formation, telling them to change their ways and return next year. Today the candidates and catechumens are prepared and not sent away, but the rite’s tradition is very much the same.
Photos and video by Julio Eduardo Herrera
