Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion 2006
On a crisp, bright morning on Saturday 4 March, more than 400 people
gathered in the Cathedral Church of SS Peter and Paul, Clifton, to
celebrate the Rite of Election which is held on the first Saturday in
Lent. These included 95 Candidates and 17 Catechumens with their
sponsors, godparents, families and friends, and in many cases their
priest and the Right of Christian Incitation of Adults (RCIA) group as
well. For many it was their first experience of visiting the Cathedral
and their sense of awe was tangible.
At precisely 11.00 am, the organ struck up with the hymn ‘Come down, O love divine’, and voices rose in unison on this momentous occasion on their journey towards full communion in the Catholic Church. The Rite of Election is a serious step for those preparing to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist on Holy Saturday night at Easter. Having completed their formation and expressed their desire to answer the call of God, Candidates and Catechumens now present themselves to the Bishop, who, acting on behalf of God, names, elects and calls them to conversion.
After Bishop Declan had greeted the gathered assembly, a reading from Isaiah (58:9-14) urged them to turn away from ‘the clenched fist, the wicked word’ and to ‘give your bread to the hungry, and relief to the oppressed’; in other words undergo conversion.
The Candidates, who unlike the Catechumens have already been baptised, were then named and called to stand with their sponsor. The Bishop addressed them asking if they wished to enter fully into the life of the Church through the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. The sponsors and assembly were then asked to promise to continue their support and guidance. After signing their name in the Book of Elect on the sanctuary, Bishop Declan greeted each Candidate and sponsor. When all 95 had gone up, the Gospel (Luke 5:27-32) was read. This reading shows how God called Levi and he having left everything, followed him, so too the Candidates are called to follow Christ wholeheartedly.
During the homily, Bishop Declan preached on the readings, drawing out Being Called, Named and willingly prepared to Follow Christ, giving up everything if necessary. The journey does not end here, it is answering a lifelong, ongoing call to conversion, which everyone present is committed to following. Everyone is called to be a living witness to the call to conversion: the Good News.
The Catechumens were then addressed. Their godparents and the gathered assembly were asked if they felt they were ready to commit themselves to full communion in the Church. After affirmation, the Catechumens were named and asked if they wished to enter fully into the life of the Church at Easter through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. After signing their name in the Book of the Elect, they were greeted by Bishop Declan while the choir and congregation sang a most suitable chant: You have called us by our name. We belong to you. The Catechumens and Godparents were invited to remain on the sanctuary until they were dismissed by the Bishop at the end of the service.
Intercessions and Prayers over the Elect were followed by a final Blessing by Bishop Declan and the recessional procession went out to the strains of the hymn:
Church of God, elect and glorious, holy nation, chosen race;
called as God’s own special people, royal priests and heirs of grace:
know the purpose of your calling, show to all his mighty deeds;
tell of love which knows no limits, grace which meets all human needs.
Ronnie Mitchinson
At precisely 11.00 am, the organ struck up with the hymn ‘Come down, O love divine’, and voices rose in unison on this momentous occasion on their journey towards full communion in the Catholic Church. The Rite of Election is a serious step for those preparing to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist on Holy Saturday night at Easter. Having completed their formation and expressed their desire to answer the call of God, Candidates and Catechumens now present themselves to the Bishop, who, acting on behalf of God, names, elects and calls them to conversion.
After Bishop Declan had greeted the gathered assembly, a reading from Isaiah (58:9-14) urged them to turn away from ‘the clenched fist, the wicked word’ and to ‘give your bread to the hungry, and relief to the oppressed’; in other words undergo conversion.
The Candidates, who unlike the Catechumens have already been baptised, were then named and called to stand with their sponsor. The Bishop addressed them asking if they wished to enter fully into the life of the Church through the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. The sponsors and assembly were then asked to promise to continue their support and guidance. After signing their name in the Book of Elect on the sanctuary, Bishop Declan greeted each Candidate and sponsor. When all 95 had gone up, the Gospel (Luke 5:27-32) was read. This reading shows how God called Levi and he having left everything, followed him, so too the Candidates are called to follow Christ wholeheartedly.
During the homily, Bishop Declan preached on the readings, drawing out Being Called, Named and willingly prepared to Follow Christ, giving up everything if necessary. The journey does not end here, it is answering a lifelong, ongoing call to conversion, which everyone present is committed to following. Everyone is called to be a living witness to the call to conversion: the Good News.
The Catechumens were then addressed. Their godparents and the gathered assembly were asked if they felt they were ready to commit themselves to full communion in the Church. After affirmation, the Catechumens were named and asked if they wished to enter fully into the life of the Church at Easter through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. After signing their name in the Book of the Elect, they were greeted by Bishop Declan while the choir and congregation sang a most suitable chant: You have called us by our name. We belong to you. The Catechumens and Godparents were invited to remain on the sanctuary until they were dismissed by the Bishop at the end of the service.
Intercessions and Prayers over the Elect were followed by a final Blessing by Bishop Declan and the recessional procession went out to the strains of the hymn:
Church of God, elect and glorious, holy nation, chosen race;
called as God’s own special people, royal priests and heirs of grace:
know the purpose of your calling, show to all his mighty deeds;
tell of love which knows no limits, grace which meets all human needs.
Ronnie Mitchinson
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