Posted on 03/11/2014 2:04:25 PM PDT by NYer
Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, addressed those gathered at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion today that they came together to bear witness to “the desire of so many here to complete their journey that brings them into the Church, and by doing so to publically embrace the cross as the pathway not only to eternal life but to a richer and fuller experience of life now.”
This Easter, 1,306 adults, teens and children will be baptized or confirmed as Catholics in the Archdiocese of Washington, which is the largest number of candidates and catechumens ever. The participants come from approximately 95 parishes, six university campuses and one military base chapel across the archdiocese. In the last 10 years, 12,660 have joined the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Washington.
At the beginning of Lent, which is the period of penance and reflection observed by Catholics leading up to the celebration of Easter, those who are being received into the Catholic Church are presented to the local bishop in the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion. This liturgy marks the participants’ formal public expression of their desire to become Catholic and kicks off a final period of intense spiritual preparation.
In the Archdiocese of Washington, the rite is held annually at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception over two Sundays to accommodate the large number of people who participate and bring their family members to share in this significant day in their spiritual life. The second ceremony will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2014.
During his homily, Cardinal Wuerl told the participants that “You make this journey because you recognize some very basic elements of our faith. Jesus was sent by God to save us, the Church continues his saving work, and we experience it in the sacraments, especially the sacraments of initiation.”
The cardinal continued, “As we rejoice with you and joyfully welcome you to this final step in your faith journey, we remind ourselves that Lent is not just for those who wish to be received into our family of faith. It is a summons to us all to that total, ongoing conversion that is called for by Baptism.”
John 17:21, Ping!
John 17
21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
Congrats to those coming into the Church this coming Easter in D.C. God Bless.
I can easily believe it. Our parish in is the Archdiocese of Washington, unfortunately, and the parking lot is positively jammed on RCIA night.
This past Sunday, in Hartford, St. Joseph’s Cathedral had both the rite and call service done. 260 folks coming into the Church this Easter.
I signed the book Friday night, at the Rite for the Riverside area. San Bernardino does the Rite regionally, six adult Rites, three for the kids, and the bishop and auxiliary ride circuit for the weekend. I think my class was suitably impressed. I know I was.
I wonder how many of these will continue to be completely at odds with the Church’s teachings on, for example, marriage and artificial birth control.
None will reject church teaching if they have had a proper RCIA program. None of our candidates have rejected any of the church’s teaching. Not one.
Well, it is difficult or impossible for me to accept that they’ve all sworn off artificial birth control, unless this was a geriatric class. But it sounds as if you have an excellent program.
One candidate IS a grandmother.
Thank you, ma’am!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.