Catechumens and candidates say ?Yes' to God

Intermountain Catholic

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Representatives from each parish present the names of the elect who affirm they are ready to join the Church to Diocesan Administrator, Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald (second from left). IC photo by Christine Young

SALT LAKE CITY — There were 321 catechumens and 257 candidates who attended three Rite of Election celebrations Feb. 24-25, in the Cathedral of the Madeleine, Salt Lake City.

The Rite of Election is always held on the first Sunday of Lent, or close to the beginning of Lent. Election comes from a word that means to choose and that was the theme of this celebration. God has chosen the catechumens and candidates, and they have chosen to respond to God’s call.

Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald, diocesan administrator, welcomed the men, women, and children from across the diocese who have chosen to answer God’s call, especially those who traveled a great distance. He said we are grateful for the sponsors and Godparents who gradually introduce the catechumens to Christian practices.

Msgr. Fitzgerald said in his homily, the catechumens preparing for baptism, at the Easter Vigil, those seeking to regain the faith of their childhood, those who want full communion with the Catholic Church, and in fact, all of the baptized should hear the call.

"For Catholics, our liturgical cycle marks the seasons," said Msgr. Fitzgerald. "The gold, red, green, or purple vestments, the hymns we sing, the decorations of our churches, the prayers we offer, and the sacred scripture we read, all announce the passage of time and alert us to the seasons’ challenge.

"Today’s Rite of Election is such a moment in our life of faith. We are called to a conversion of life. We are invited, in a new way, to taste the joy of greater union with our Lord."

Msgr. Fitzgerald said that in the first reading from Deuteronomy, Moses teaches the Jewish people how to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving to God and urges them to remember how God saved their people from slavery in Egypt.

"Life can so easily become slavery to people and a slavery to material things or worldly pursuits, when God is not present in our lives," said Msgr. Fitzgerald.

"In the second reading from Romans, Saint Paul related that faith is God’s gift, and it is our faith in Jesus Christ which saves us. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved," said Msgr. Fitzgerald.

"Today, as on each first Sunday of Lent, we hear the Gospel story of Jesus being tempted by Satan in the desert," said Msgr. Fitzgerald. "Faithfulness costs us as it did Jesus. Life will test our faith. There will be trials and sufferings, indeed temptation. Satan distorts the truth for us as he tried to do for Jesus. Sin is presented as something good, rather than something that will cause us harm. If we are faithful in proclaiming Jesus Lord, then in him we will find truth that shows us the way to the Father."

Following Msgr. Fitzgerald’s homily, the church community heard testimony from sponsors and catechists on behalf of the catechumens and candidates that they have responded to God’s call. The catechumens expressed their desire to join the Church by writing their names in the book of elect, and stated they are ready for baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. The candidates affirmed they are ready to be brought into full communion with the church through confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.

A reception for the candidates, catechumens, sponsors, and Godparents followed the Rite of Election celebration.