What Takes Place During The Election Ceremony?

The Rite of Election, or Enrollment of Names, closes the period of the Catechumenate and typically coincides with the first Sunday of Lent. This year, the rites will look different, as most things have changed over the past months. The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion stands not only as ratification of the catechumens’ and candidates’ readiness for the sacraments but most especially as a call to conversion.

The diocesan bishop is the proper minister of the Rite of Election (RCIA, 12). There is a Rite of Sending to Election provided in the ritual book for this purpose. The Rite of Election is usually celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, February 21, 2021, during Mass, using the readings proper to the Sunday. During the RCIA process, the individual follows a spiritual journey of “steps” accomplished through defined periods punctuated with formal rites.

During the Rite of Election, the testimony of the Godparents and the catechists is heard, and the Catechumens reaffirm their desire to follow in the footsteps of Christ by entering the Church. The Roman Catholic Church of the Diocese of Baton Rouge is a 501(c) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax deductible.

The Rite of Election is an important celebration in the process of RCIA, which is a formal process of catechetical instruction, ascetically practice (prayer and spirituality), and the call to conversion. The Church hopes that those seeking Baptism and full Communion will be able to participate in these sacraments after the celebration of the Scrutinies.