Rite of Election is celebrated, 595 will be received

Intermountain Catholic

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The candidates stand to profess to Bishop John C. Wester their wish to complete their Christian initiation, and ask that after this Lenten season they be admitted to the Sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist. IC photo by Christine Young

SALT LAKE CITY — "It is with great joy that we gather today to welcome women, men, and children from all over our diocese into a new relationship with the Church," said the Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, at the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion Feb. 28.

The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion was held Feb. 28, and March 1, at the Cathedral of the Madeleine for 342 catechumens who became the elect, and 253 candidates who will continue their journey of conversion in the Catholic Church.

The catechumens, celebrated the Rite of Election becoming the elect and signifying their readiness for the sacraments at the Easter Vigil.

" The candidates, who are already baptized, will be called to greater conversion during this Lenten season as they prepare to complete their Christian initiation," said Bishop Wester.

In his homily Bishop Wester reflected on baptism and said water is a very important symbol of Lent and of the Easter Vigil, as we anticipate the renewal of our baptismal promises, or contemplate being baptized.

Bishop Wester gave three examples of water. When he first came to Utah, Bishop Wester went for a hike with his sister and brother-in-law. The weather was good when they began their hike. It then began to rain, and then snowed. When they returned home, they had to wash the mud off themselves with water from the hose.

Bishop Wester’s second symbolism of water was when he went to Rome in August and the temperature was well over 105 degrees. The fire department sprayed their hoses up in the air to create a mist to cool the pilgrims in the square.

The third symbol was in 1983, when the canyon waters from the mountains that give life, flooded and brought a lot of destruction to Davis County and Salt Lake City.

"As we renew our baptismal promises or become baptized at the Easter Vigil, the rich symbol of water speaks to us," said Bishop Wester. "Our sins are washed away just as we washed the mud off of us with the hose. Jesus is the fountain of all living water through whom, and for whom all things came to be. We celebrate the fact that we are forgiven through the waters of baptism, that Christ forgives us, and washes away our sins."

"The second rich symbolism of the waters of baptism remind us of refreshment," said Bishop Wester. "Christ is our refreshment and our vitality. Christ is the water who will never leave us alone or abandon us.

"Thirdly the water that gives us life and death, just like the baptismal fonts, symbolizes the three steps of Christ and the three days he was in the tomb. On the third day he rose again. Water brings death, but it brings life. So we celebrate the new life of Christ. The water brings this new way of being. It is a process of time, the past, the present, and the future. Christ cleanses us of our sins in the past, refreshes us in the here and now, and invites us into new life in the future."

Timothy Johnston, director of the Diocesan Office of Liturgy presented the parishes in each of the deaneries throughout the diocese to Bishop Wester.

"These catechumens are completing their period of preparation," said Johnston. "They have found strength in God’s grace, and support in their community’s prayer and example. Now they ask, after the celebration of the Scrutinies they be allowed to participate in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist."

The catechumens came forth to sign the Book of the Elect to be presented to Bishop Wester indicating they were ready and prepared to be fully initiated into the Church. Johnston then presented the candidates to Bishop Wester.

Bishop Wester asked the catechumens, candidates, and their godparents questions regarding their call to Christ to assure they were prepared to be enrolled as the elect, or to continue the call of their conversion at the Easter Vigil.