Rite of Election - Our Report
More than 400 people gathered in Clifton Cathedral to celebrate the
Rite of Election which is traditionally held on the first Saturday in
Lent. This included 74 Candidates and 21 Catechumens with their
sponsors, godparents, families and friends, and in many cases their
parish priest and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
group as well. For many it was their first, and perhaps only,
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 stage of 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 evil ways. With a change of heart we will find happiness in the Lord.
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 Jesus called Matthew the Levi and he having left everything, followed him, so too the Candidates are called to follow Christ wholeheartedly.
During the homily, Bishop Declan said our relationship with the Lord is about being people of trust and love. We all of us have need of a time of renewal in our faith and Lent is just the time to look at our lives and renew our relationship with God by ‘turning away from evil ways’.
There is much of Matthew in us. Jesus saw beyond the ‘tax collector’. He understood that Matthew was trapped in this role. In his present life he couldn’t be his true self. Therefore by leaving his old life and following Jesus he was able to become his true self. Sometimes we too are trapped by circumstances in our lives. Jesus recognises who we really are. We are called to make the choice of leaving our old lives and becoming who we are really meant to be.
In the months leading up to the Rite of Election we have discovered something new happening in our lives and we look to the future with hope. God is seeking to enter into a conversation with us. If we allow this to happen it will lead to conversion. It’s not about how much we know but about how much we’ve changed. The conversation with God is words of truth, freedom and love. Jesus speaks to us through his word.
Bishop Declan finished by welcoming the Candidates and Catechumens to the Cathedral and promised on behalf of the community that he would keep them all in his prayers. He thanked them for enriching our lives by coming into the Church.
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 stage of 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 evil ways. With a change of heart we will find happiness in the Lord.
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 Jesus called Matthew the Levi and he having left everything, followed him, so too the Candidates are called to follow Christ wholeheartedly.
During the homily, Bishop Declan said our relationship with the Lord is about being people of trust and love. We all of us have need of a time of renewal in our faith and Lent is just the time to look at our lives and renew our relationship with God by ‘turning away from evil ways’.
There is much of Matthew in us. Jesus saw beyond the ‘tax collector’. He understood that Matthew was trapped in this role. In his present life he couldn’t be his true self. Therefore by leaving his old life and following Jesus he was able to become his true self. Sometimes we too are trapped by circumstances in our lives. Jesus recognises who we really are. We are called to make the choice of leaving our old lives and becoming who we are really meant to be.
In the months leading up to the Rite of Election we have discovered something new happening in our lives and we look to the future with hope. God is seeking to enter into a conversation with us. If we allow this to happen it will lead to conversion. It’s not about how much we know but about how much we’ve changed. The conversation with God is words of truth, freedom and love. Jesus speaks to us through his word.
Bishop Declan finished by welcoming the Candidates and Catechumens to the Cathedral and promised on behalf of the community that he would keep them all in his prayers. He thanked them for enriching our lives by coming into the Church.
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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