March 15, 2011

Nearly 250 publicly acknowledge their desire for full Communion before Bishop Cistone on Election weekend


SAGINAW - In their continuing journey to receive the Sacraments this coming Easter, 129 catechumens enrolled their names and 119 candidates responded to their call in the presence of Bishop Joseph R. Cistone during two liturgies at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption on March 12 and 13.

The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Coversion is part of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), the process in which interested adults and older children are introduced to the faith and prepare to receive the Sacraments of Initiation and full Communion with the Church.

The Rite of Election or Enrolment of Names for those who are unbaptized and the Rite of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion for those who are baptized.

In these rites, the Church formally ratifies the Catechumens' readiness for the Sacraments of Initiation, and the Candidates' readiness to be received into full Communion with the Church. In turn the Catechumens - from now on known as the Elect - publicly acknowledge their desire to receive the Sacraments of Initiation, and the Candidates' their desire to be received into full Communion with the Catholic Church.

The Elect and Candidates are now set to receive the Sacraments during the Easter Vigil at their 60 respective parish communities across the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw.

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