Rite of Election - The Diocese of Shrewsbury

Preparing for the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion

Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion Rite of Election • Catechumen • Not yet Baptised • God Parents & Community • Young catechumens 7-14 yrs will be addressed separately • Catechumens now known as “The Elect”

Call to Continuing Conversion • Candidates • Already baptised • Sponsors & Community • Young Candidates 7-14yrs will be addressed separately • No change in title

Signs of Readiness for the Second Step RCIA 120 • to have undergone a conversion in mind and in action

• to have developed sufficient acquaintance with Christian teaching

• to show a spirit of faith and charity

• with enlightened faith they must have the intention to receive the Sacraments of the Church

Welcome to Shrewsbury Cathedral

The journey in faith until now, has been supported locally by parishioners and RCIA team members. Today the Diocesan family gather to witness and provide prayerful support for all catechumens and candidates. This is a powerful reminder that our faith journey, does not end with baptism. Each one of us is called through baptism to a life of love and service, of daily, ongoing conversion of heart as each of us strives to grow in the image of Christ.

Cathedral

Chapter House …may be found on the left hand side of the Cathedral. This is where the lead Catechist is asked to register the arrival of the Parish group, It is essential that every Catechumen and every Candidate is registered before you find a place to sit in the Cathedral. Booking in is available from 2pm- 2.55pm. (Latecomers' are asked to sign in at the rear of the Church with a Welcome Minister.)

The Cathedral Stewards ensure the day runs smoothly. They can be found in yellow jackets at the back of the Cathedral. They are committed to ensuring this is a special and happy event for everyonedon’t hesitate to ask if you need help.

Seats are reserved for Catechumens, God Parents, Candidates and Sponsors. Those who are Catechumen and God Parents sit along the ends of the centre aisle. The Candidates and Sponsors sit on the ends of the outside aisles. Family and friends may sit near by if space allows.

Opening Hymn • During the opening hymn, the Bishop and priests walk in procession onto the Sanctuary.

The Bishop welcomes everyone to today’s celebration. What can we expect of today’s Liturgy?

The Shape of todays Celebration Welcome and Opening Prayer 1. Liturgy of the Word

2. Rite of Election

3. Call to continuing Conversion

•

•

The Rite of Election is for those becoming new members of the church. In the tradition of our church they are called catechumens as they prepare to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist this Easter. They are accompanied on their journey towards full initiation by Godparents. During the Rite of Election they will be invited to "enrol" their names in the "Book of the Elect". Their signature is a public gesture symbolising their commitment to proceed to the celebration of the three Sacraments of Initiation. After the Rite of Election, catechumens will be known as "The Elect".

The Call to Continuing Conversion is for those who have already been baptised either into the Catholic faith or into another Christian tradition. They are called candidates, during their preparation to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist at Easter and thereby received into full communion of the Catholic Church. Candidates are accompanied on their journey by Sponsors. As they have already been baptised, their names have already been recorded in the book of “Ongoing Conversion" and will be read aloud, as recognition of their intention to proceed towards full communion with the Church.

4. Prayers of Intercession 5. Blessing and Dismissal

The Liturgy of the Word We begin by feasting on God’s Word, nourishing ourselves by hearing the Lord calling Samuel and Jesus invitation to “ Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men”

Homily This year Bishop Mark will offer a short reflection to deepen our understanding of the Readings and the important step the Catechumens and Candidates are about to take.

1st The Catechumen and Godparent both sign the Book of the Elect

2nd The Bishop greets the Catechumen and God Parent at the Cathedra

Two signing points are provided to ensure the signing is smoothly completed. The pages of the Book of the Elect are then bound together before being presented to the Bishop.

The Rite of Election …is a celebration of the catechumens response, their “yes” to the calling of the Lord. Their commitment to undertake a lifetime of love and service as followers of Christ. The catechumen are chosen and called by Christ and the Bishop acting on behalf of Christ and his church, receives the catechumens and accepts them as the “Elect of God”. As the Elect, they enter the final period of preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation (corresponding to the six weeks of Lent).

A God Parent places a hand upon the shoulder of the Catechumen as a sign of their support and prayers and their lifelong commitment as spiritual companion. The Bishop presents a crucifix as a reminder of this significant Step in the Journey of Faith. The crucifix may be worn throughout Lent as an outward sign to parishioners that they belong to the “Elect” and have entered a more intense period of preparation for the Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter. This encourages the parish community to offer their prayerful support and thereby lead them to encounter Christ.

“To sing is to pray twice” ( St Augustine) During the process of signing the Book of the Elect, the parishioners, family and friends are expertly led by Judith and the Cathedral choir, joining in sung hymns and psalms as they witness to the commitment being made today by their companions on the journey in faith.

Act of Election Once all the names are enrolled in the Book of the Elect, the Bishop continues “I now declare you to be members of the Elect, to be initiated into the sacred mysteries at the next Easter Vigil.” The Catechumens, now known as “ The Elect” respond “ Thanks be to God”

Presentation of the Book of the Elect After being presented to the Bishop, the Book of the Elect is now placed in a position of honour.

The Call to Continuing Conversion The “Book of Ongoing Conversion” contains the names of all baptised Candidates and is taken in Procession to the ambo. The names of all the Candidates preparing for Confirmation and Eucharist are read aloud.

The Candidates meet the Bishop As the Candidates hear their names called out, they stand and move along the Centre aisle to meet the Bishop at the Cathedra. The Bishop presents every Candidate with a crucifix as a visible reminder of the commitment made today and to encourage parishioners to pray for them during the remaining time of preparation.

Living our Baptismal commitment “The initiation of adults is the responsibility of all the baptised. Therefore the community must always be fully prepared in the pursuit of its apostolic vocation to give help to those searching for Christ” (RCIA 9) Parishioners family and friends today give witness by their presence, to this important Second Step in the Journey of faith. In return, the worshipping community experience a renewal in enthusiasm and commitment in their own faith .

The Book of Ongoing Conversion After everyone has been received by the Bishop at the Cathedra , the Book of Ongoing Conversion is presented to the Bishop and then placed in a position of honour (alongside the Book of the Elect)

Prayers of Intercession The community then prays for both The Elect and Candidates in prayers of Intercession. Wider needs of the community, family and friends, are also reflected in the prayers.

Blessing and Dismissal As the celebration draws to a close the Bishop prays for the Elect and Dismisses the congregation “ Go in peace and may the Lord remain always with you”

The Celebration continues… Everyone is warmly invited to the Shrewsbury High School (turn right as you leave the Cathedral) where food and hot drinks will be available and an opportunity to celebrate in style!

2013 Bishops Retreat 2nd February at Our Lady Star of Sea, Ellesmere Port

Rite of Sending (10th February) from home parish

Rite of Election 17th February at Shrewsbury Cathedral

Mass of Thanksgiving 18th May at Holy Angels, Hale Barns