Rite of Election

Rite of Election

by Paul Turner

During the rite of election the church formally announces the names of those who will soon celebrate the sacraments of initiation. Usually the rite of election takes place at the cathedral with the bishop on the First Sunday of Lent, and those who are named will celebrate baptism, confirmation, and first communion at their parishes during the following Easter Vigil. These individuals enter the cathedral as "catechumens" and leave as "elect." The ceremony may also be called "enrollment of names."

"Election" refers to the idea of "the chosen people." In Israel's early history, God chose a people and established a covenant with them. Christians believe that God continues to choose people, now through the covenant of baptism. The rite of election thus establishes the names of those who will enter the new covenant through the sacraments of initiation.

The key moments of the rite are the affirmation by the godparents and the act of admission or election. In the
affirmation, the godparents testify that the catechumens are worthy to be initiated. Their testimony reveals the church' s positive judgment about the catechumen's desire and behavior. The entire assembly may also join the affirmation.

Next the bishop invites the catechumens to sign the book of the elect. In some dioceses, this action has already taken place in parishes during the rite of sending, and the books are presented at this point. Finally, during the act of admission or election, the bishop declares that the catechumens are members of the elect, to be initiated at the next Easter Vigil.

Although many people refer to the ceremony as the time when catechumens "go to meet the bishop," its meaning is very different. It is not about meeting a celebrity. It is about being named among God' s chosen people.

This bulletin insert originally appeared in MINISTRY & LITURGY, a pastoral planning resource used by the worship leaders in your parish as an aid for better liturgy. Copyright © 2000 Resource Publications, Inc., 160 E. Virginia St. #290, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 286-8505. Paul Turner, pastor of St. John Regis Parish in Kansas City, Mo., holds a doctorate in sacramental theology from Sant' Anselmo University in Rome. Comment online at www.rpinet.com/wwwboard/forum8/.

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