Young and old alike gathered at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud Feb. 26 for the Rite of Election of catechumens and the Call to Continuing Conversion of candidates.
Bishop Patrick Neary, C.S.C., presided with Deacon John Wocken assisting.
The Rite of Election celebrates the catechumens and candidates who will be received into full communion with the Catholic Church this Easter Vigil.
During the Rite, the catechumens, or those preparing to receive baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist, were invited to come forward and sign their names in the Book of the Elect.
Soon after, the candidates, or those Christians who have already been baptized but seek to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church through confirmation and the Eucharist, came forward to be presented to Bishop Neary.
The Rite ended with a prayer over the “elect” and the candidates. A reception followed in the cathedral’s lower church.
In total, there were 65 catechumens and candidates present for the Rite.
Sophia Lionares Agular, 8, signs the Book of the Elect as her sponsor, Margarita Pasqueda watches. They are members of St. Mary of Mount Carmel Parish in Long Prairie. (Gianna Bonello / The Central Minnesota Catholic)
(Gianna Bonello / The Central Minnesota Catholic)
Many families were present at the Rite of Election, which takes place every year on the first Sunday of Lent. (Gianna Bonello / The Central Minnesota Catholic)
Candidate Mike Anderson takes his place in the sanctuary with sponsor, Father Peter Vanderweyst, pastor of Disciples of the Mission ACC. When all the candidates were gathered, sponsors placed a hand on their shoulder as they were blessed by Bishop Neary. (Gianna Bonello / The Central Minnesota Catholic)
Candidate Natalie Welinski, center, celebrates with her sponsor as they joined other candidates in the sanctuary. She is one of four students, three candidates and one catechumen, from the College of Saint Benedict and St. John’s University, that attended the Rite of Election and will be entering the Church this spring. (Gianna Bonello / The Central Minnesota Catholic)
