Liturgy and Worship

The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion will be
celebrated on
Sunday, February 21st at 2:30 p.m. for the North Vicariate 
Sunday, February 28th at 2:30 p.m. for the South Vicariate 
at St. Paul Cathedral
108 N Dithridge St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Attending

• Catechumens (Not Baptized, ages 7+): Catechumens are those who are unbaptized and will be receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion at the Easter Vigil. They participate in the Rite of Election. Following the Rite of Election, they will no longer be referred to as Catechumens but as the Elect. [Catechumens must be accompanied by their godparent ONLY. Children under 18 years of age may be also be accompanied by their parents. No additional guests are permitted.]
• Director of Initiation: The parish Director of Initiation may attend. No other guests are permitted.

Not Attending

• Candidates for Full Communion (Baptized Christian seeking to enter into Full Communion of the Catholic Church; have not received First Communion/Confirmation): Candidates are those who are validly baptized. They will be entering into full communion of the Church by receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion. 
• Confirmation Candidates (Baptized a Catholic, received First Communion but not Confirmed): Baptized Catholics who have received First Communion but not Confirmation are not the same as Candidates in the RCIA for full communion. They are already in communion with the Church. They do not participate in the Rite of Election.

How do those leading the RCIA know if a catechumen is ready to celebrate the Rite of Election?  Here is what the rite* tells us:

118:  The second step in Christian initiation is the liturgical rite called both election and enrollment of names, which closes the period of the catechumenate proper, that is the lengthy period of formation of the catechumens' minds and hearts.

120:  Before the rite of election is celebrated, the catechumens are expected to have undergone a conversion in mind and in action and to have developed a sufficient acquaintence with Christian teaching as well as a spirit of faith and charity.  With deliberate will and enlightened faith they must have the intention to receive the sacraments of the Church, a resolve they will express publicly in the actual celebration of the rite.

*All individuals leading the RCIA should be
familiar with paragraphs 118 - 128 of the rite.

Click here to register your parish/grouping for the Rite of Election.  Registration must be completed by Friday, February 5th, 2021.