Cardinal Dolan, during this year’s Rite of Election, told the catechumens: “Welcome, congratulations…You are going to become members of the Catholic family, a spiritual family.” The afternoon ceremony occurred on Feb. 26, the First Sunday of Lent, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
About 250 catechumens from more than 50 parishes attended the gathering. They have been preparing to join the Church at their home parishes, through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). They will officially enter the Church in their parishes at the Easter Vigil, on April 8, when they will receive the sacraments of initiation—baptism, confirmation, and First Holy Communion.
The Rite of Election ceremony drew more than 1,000 people, including the catechumens’ godparents, sponsors, catechists, and spiritual directors.
“After Holy Saturday, you will be members of the supernatural family that we call the one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church,” Cardinal Dolan said during the homily. “And is it ever good to have you with us as members of the family. I get to do this every First Sunday of Lent. It is a very joyful occasion.”
The cardinal spoke of the tremendous joy people feel when a baby is born and becomes part of the family and the extended family, such as when his niece Kelly will soon give birth to baby Jack. “I tell you that today because that’s sort of the same excitement we have as I look out at you. You are going to become members of the Catholic family, a spiritual family,” he told the catechumens.
Citing the day’s readings: he noted the importance of making the right choices, such as when Christ didn’t give in to the devil's temptations; and he talked of the need to resist making bad choices, noting the one made by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. “Satan, the same one that duped Adam and Eve in the garden, went after Jesus, tempting Him to make bad choices; and we saw Jesus, of course, make those good choices on that hill called the Hill of Temptations,” Cardinal Dolan said.
Among the catechumens was Courtney Loftin, 33, a parishioner of St. Ignatius of Loyola in Manhattan, who told The Good Newsroom, “This is something I discerned for about five years. I had a friend (Sarah Shoop) who was closely advising me, and I finally felt the calling in my heart to seek out a Church family, and I found that at St. Ignatius.”
Loftin said the ceremony “was an inflection point in my faith journey. It signifies my decision and my beautiful relationship with God. It really feels that I am becoming a part of a bigger family that is the Catholic Church.” She said she appreciated the cardinal’s homily message, especially his words of welcome into that bigger family.
Another catechumen, Fabiel Tejada, 18, said he made the decision to join the Church “to get closer to God and to learn more about the Church.” His mother, Daisy Reynoso, was his guide during his discernment to enter the Church. “She’s very proud; this is the happiest day…The homily inspired a lot of people; it touched my heart,” said Tejada, who is a parishioner of Our Lady of Angels in the Bronx.
During the Rite of Election, the catechumens, guided by the cardinal, affirmed their readiness to enter the Church, and their godparents affirmed their support. The catechumens then lined up to sign the Book of the Elect. The age range of the catechumens was eight to 80-plus.
Oscar Cruz, archdiocesan director of the Catechumenate (RCIA), told The Good Newsroom, “With all the troubles in the world, they are finding comfort and consolation in the Catholic Church. It is a moment of great joy for the Church.”