Rite Of Election Scheduled

Amarillo—Bishop Patrick J. Zurek will celebrate the Rite of Election and the Rite Call to Continuing Conversion Sunday, Feb. 14 at 2:30pm at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 South Washington.

“These are special rites that invite catechumens and candidates to a celebration of their individual calls to know Jesus in a very profound way,” said Sister María Elena Ferrer, SSND, coordinator of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Amarillo. “The catechumens and candidates have been given the opportunity to know and to understand the Catholic faith in a deep and meaningful manifestation of God’s love for each of them. We, as Catholics, pray for them as they continue their journey to the Vigil of Easter when they become full members of the Catholic Church.”

Sister María Elena offers this simple explanation of the RCIA Process:

“The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the process by which adults become Catholic. It is called a Process because it is a time of discerning and ritualizing stages of conversion within the faith journey of adults. It is called a Rite because, starting with the Period of the Catechumenate, each period of the process is introduced by a rite which is celebrated with the worshiping community.

“These Rites are open to those who have never been baptized, those who have been baptized in another Christian denomination and are interested in becoming Catholic, and those who were baptized Catholic, but have not been catechized and have not received the Sacraments of Confirmation or Eucharist. Those who participate in the process are called Catechumens, if they have never been baptized, or Candidates, if they have already been baptized.”

For more information about the Rite of Election, contact Sister María Elena at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 383-2243 ext. 113.