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Catechumens, candidates move closer to Easter Vigil
archived from: 2010-03-08
by: John Franko

Bishop Zubik implores them to make their joy contagious

Almost 600 people publicly declared their intent to enter into full communion with the church during two rite of election ceremonies at St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood.

Catechumens and candidates from pastoral vicariate regions 1 and 4 gathered for the Feb. 21 ceremony, while pastoral vicariate regions 2 and 3 took part in the Feb. 28 ceremony.

The rite of election marks the beginning of the final phase of preparation for the catechumens (those not baptized) and candidates (those baptized but not confirmed) before they enter the church at the Easter Vigil.

In thanking those who have chosen to join the faith, Bishop David Zubik told them during the Feb. 21 ceremony that they are an inspiration for those who are already members of it.

Lent, he noted, began with catechumens and candidates in the early church who desired a special time in their lives in which they could gather with one another and prepare to enter the church.

Their joy, the bishop said, was contagious, and the wider church community became jealous and wanted to experience the same joy.

The same is true today.

In pointing out that only some 32 percent of Catholics attend Mass weekly, he said many excuses are offered, but the bottom line is that too many people take a good thing — their faith — for granted.

“You, like those early Christians challenge us to get fired up again about the presence of Christ in our midst and what it truly means to be church,” he said.

The bishop asked the catechumens and candidates to pray for those already in the church so they will not take their faith for granted.

As part of the celebration of election, the catechumens were called forward along with their godparents.

Bishop Zubik asked the godparents if the catechumens were sufficiently prepared to be enrolled in the Book of the Elect, and he asked the entire congregation if it was ready to support them.

The bishop then asked the candidates if they were ready to enter fully into the church through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist.

Following their affirmation, they were invited to the altar to sign the Book of the Elect.

Bishop Zubik added his signature and showed the book to the assembly.

He then declared the catechumens to be members of the elect and he asked the godparents to continue to support them until they receive the sacraments.

For the celebration of the call to continuing conversion, the candidates were also called forward with their sponsors.

Bishop Zubik asked the sponsors to affirm the candidates’ preparation to enter the church, and he asked the congregation if it was willing to include the candidates more deeply in their prayers.

The bishop then told the candidates that the church recognizes their desire to be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and he asked them if they would join the church in listening to the Lord’s call to conversion and be faithful to their baptismal covenant.

With their affirmation, Bishop Zubik welcomed them to the final stage of their journey.

He asked the sponsors to place their arms around the shoulders of the candidates as a sign that they continue to support them and receive them into their care.

The godparents did the same with the elect.

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