WAUNAKEE — The diocese recently welcomed more than 360 people to the Rite of Election and Call to 
Continuing Conversion. 

This annual event is part of the catechumenal process for most of those who are entering the Church at Easter Vigil. 

This time of prayer and presentation of the catechumens and candidates is a combined ritual to prepare them as they enter into a time of purification before the Easter Sacraments.

The Rite of Election is for catechumens, those who will be Baptized at Easter. 

In this part of the liturgy, these people are individually called by name, as we know Christ calls us, and their godparents testify to their readiness. 

Then they come forward to be received by the bishop and sign their names in the Book of the Elect. 

The Church welcomes them and promises prayers and accompaniment on their journey; they are now members of the elect. 

This year, the Diocese of Madison had 126 people who participated in the Rite of Election.  

The Call to Continuing Conversion is for those who are already one with us in Baptism, but who seek full communion with the Catholic Church at Easter — for instance, a Protestant brother or sister who seeks to join the Catholic Church. 

Most often, these individuals will be welcomed into full communion by making their Profession of Faith at the Easter Vigil, and receiving Confirmation and the 
Eucharist. 

These people are called candidates for full communion. 

As Baptized persons, they are already “of the elect,” and do not need to sign their names. 

However, they are recognized and welcomed by the bishop, and they and their sponsors receive prayers and welcome from the community. 

This year the Diocese of Madison welcomed 241 people through the Call to Continuing Conversion.

Although these two processes are distinct, both are part of OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. 

This is actually part of why the name was recently changed from RCIA. 

RCIA stood for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, but the process is not just one rite. 

There are multiple liturgical paths, and several steps along those paths, to enter fully into the Church, depending on a person’s faith journey and prior Sacramental encounters with God. 

Calling it the “Order,” which contains multiple rites, makes more sense than calling it the “Rite.”

Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison spoke to the reality of this individual journey in his homily. “All of you have a story to tell. A narrative of how God has been working in your life, leading you to this moment of decision, to enter into the Church and to receive the Easter Sacraments . . . He has chosen you by name to be His beloved daughter, His beloved son . . . God has invaded your life and proposed to you the fundamental question: Do you believe in My love for you?” 

At the same time, this calling also places these individuals, with their unique journeys, into a larger story written by the Holy Spirit. 

“This year, almost every diocese in our country is reporting a marked increase in the number of people entering the Church. This year, at least in my almost seven years here in Madison, we have the largest number of people coming into the Church. And that’s you. You’re here. And it fills me with tremendous joy and gratitude for what God is doing in your lives . . . There’s this whole new group of brothers and sisters. There’s a whole other chapter in the history of salvation in the life of our diocese.” 

St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish kindly welcomed those attending the event to St. John the Baptist Church in Waunakee. 

It was a full church as the Diocese of Madison welcomed the joyful crowd of catechumens and candidates from all ages and walks of life.

The event featured several bilingual elements, including a reading and portions of the music in Spanish.

Music for the event was provided by the Madison Diocesan Choir, directed by John Sittard, and supported by organist Michael Mills and several instrumentalists: Kristen Davies, Sue Newman, Bethany Schultz, Sarah Gillespie, and Andrew Briddell.

A light reception was provided in the gathering space after the event by the Diocese of Madison Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.