WAUNAKEE — Sunday, Feb. 26, saw a crowd gather at St. John the Baptist Church in Waunakee.
The Diocese of Madison was hosting its annual Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion where this year’s catechumens (those who are yet to be Baptized) and candidates (those who are Baptized and are now seeking Confirmation and the Eucharist in the Catholic Church) are officially received by the bishop.
For those seeking entry into the Catholic Church, this day marks the transition into the final stages of preparation.
On this day, the catechumens entered their names into the Book of the Elect and will be Baptized at Easter Vigil.
The candidates recognized by the bishop will enter full communion with the Church at Easter Vigil.
Beloved, energized, and excited
The rite is beautiful and simple, focused on the recognition by the bishop of the witness of the sponsors and godparents.
The readings are followed by a brief homily, and then the bishop officially receives the catechumens and candidates, with each one getting the chance to shake his hand.
Bishop Donald J. Hying commented in his homily, “The annual Rite of Election is one of my favorite things I do every year . . . As I look at all of you, our beloved catechumens and candidates, it gives me great hope.”
Speaking directly to the candidates and catechumens, he stated, “My friends, you know how beloved you are, and how energized and excited we are, that you are going to join with us in the Church this Easter.”
For the Church, these new catechumens and candidates are a “fresh transfusion of life every Lent.”
Drawn to the Church
It can be a myriad of reasons that drew these candidates and catechumens to Christ through the Catholic faith.
For many, family has something to do with it.
When asked what drew him to the Catholic Church, Josh Vanden Branden, from Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Beloit, commented, “My family’s been Catholic, [including] my wife, so just trying to draw closer with that, with her, so we are kind of on the same level.”
Similarly, Spencer Waite, also from Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, responded, “What draws me back is my son had joined the Catholic school in town and started asking questions that I didn’t
have answers to. I figured I better study up and be able to answer them.”
Others are stepping away from what they used to know.
“I grew up Lutheran, and so [the Catholic faith] just seemed a little bit more structured, and a little bit more . . . festive, in a way . . . I think the big thing for me is just having a community, really having a strong community,” said Rachel Haukoos, from St. Maria Goretti Parish in Madison.
The community is exactly what the Rite of Election is about.
The ceremony is not just a chance for the bishop to officially recognize the catechumens and candidates, but a moment for their new community, the local Church, to commit to praying for and with them.
That local Church, represented mostly by sponsors, godparents, and RCIA directors, did indeed join together in praying and giving thanks on that Sunday.
After the joyful recessional hymn, the parish of St. John the Baptist in Waunakee provided some light refreshments so the catechumens and candidates could enjoy this moment of celebration as their journey to the Church came one step closer.