Liturgy and Worship

The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion will be
celebrated for the entire diocese on
Sunday, March 15th at 2:30 p.m.
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 or godparents ]
• 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. They will participate in the Call to Continuing Conversion which is held combined with the Rite of Election. [Candidates should be accompanied by their sponsor]

Not Attending

• 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 Sending, the Rite of Election/Call to Continuing Conversion.

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.

Due to Bishop Zubik's schedule, the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion will occur on the Third Sunday of Lent instead of the First Sunday of Lent.  The Third Sunday of Lent is when the First Scrutiny for the Elect should be celebrated.

What should we do?

The Rite of Sending is optional.  If your parish has unbaptized catechumens, celebrate the First Scrutiny on March 15th (or at an anticipated Mass on March 14th).  Ask the priest celebrant to mention the Rite of Election at the end of Mass to the assembly.  When he explains that the catechumens will celebrate this important rite with Bishop Zubik at the Cathedral, he may ask for their continued prayers for the catechumens.

Click here to register your parish/grouping for the Rite of Election/Call to Continuing Conversion.  Registration must be completed by Friday, February 28th.