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RCIA Ceremonies Held for "Elect" in the Diocese
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults was celebrated Sunday, February 10th (the First Sunday of Lent) at eight parishes in the Diocese, with some six hundred candidates and catechumens stepping forward in answer to God’s call.
The Rite of Election was held at eight parishes in the Diocese, one in each of the eight Deaneries. The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge presided at the New Bern Deanery ceremony, which was held at St. Paul Church in New Bern. The other services were held at Holy Family Church in Elizabeth City, Immaculate Conception Church in Wilmington, Saint Thomas More Church in Chapel Hill, Saint Patrick Saint Patrick Church in Fayetteville, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Newton Grove, Saint Peter Church in Greenville and Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Raleigh, with the Deans of the seven Deaneries presiding.
The RCIA celebration includes The Rite of Election and The Call to Continuing Conversion. The Rite of Election is a celebration for the unbaptized, called Catechumens, who have been preparing for the three Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. In the rite, the Church declares them ready to enter their final stage of spiritual preparation.
The Call to Continuing Conversion is a celebration for those already baptized who wish to be received into the full communion of the Church and/or who wish to complete their Christian initiation through the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. Because their election by God has already been sealed in the waters of their baptism, this rite invites them into a season of spiritual reflection as they enter the final phase of preparation for reception into full communion with the Church.
In his homily, Bishop Burbidge addressed both Catechumens and Candidates, noting in the First Reading that “The Lord set his heart on you and chose you.”
“My dear Catechumens,” the Bishop said, “you stand before us seeking the most fundamental unity we have in Christ: Baptism. In this period of preparation, you also come to hunger for Him in the fullness of the sacramental life of the church through Confirmation and Eucharist.”
Addressing the Candidates, Bishop Burbidge noted, having already been baptized, they already understand the unity they share with Jesus in a very special way. “Today you stand before us as you seek full initiation in and through the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist,” the Bishop said. “Your great witness reminds us of the ongoing call to conversion we all share.”
Bishop Burbidge reminded the New Bern gathering that the day marked a ‘wonderful opportunity for all of us, inspired by the witness of our Catechumens and Candidates, to renew our promise to be faithful to the Lord, to His Church and to His people.”
Between now and the Easter Vigil, catechumens and candidates will continue their prayer and preparation for full membership in the Church.
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Above: Bishop Michael F. Burbidge signing Book of Elect during Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion ceremony at Saint Paul Church in New Bern Deanery, Sunday February 10. Ceremonies were also held in the Diocese’s seven other deaneries with the Deans of each region presiding.
Below: Candidates and Catechumens from Saint Mary, Mother of the Church in Garner with sponsors at Rite of Election ceremony at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Raleigh.
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