PROVIDENCE - Catechumens and candidates representing 34 parishes gathered with their sponsors, families, and friends at the Cathedral Sunday, Feb. 25, for the combined celebration of the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion, with Bishop Thomas J. Tobin presiding.
The celebration marked the beginning of the third stage of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, in which the converts began final preparations to receive the sacraments at Easter.
After the Liturgy of the Word, Dr. Joseph P. Sinwell, director of Religious Education for the Diocese of Providence, called the catechumens to come forward one by one with their sponsors. Bishop Tobin then addressed the large crowd gathered before the altar. He invited them to formally acknowledge their desire to enter the church. Together with their sponsors, the catechumens approached the altar and inscribed their names in the Book of the Elect.
This step in the RCIA, also referred to as the enrollment of names, is when the catechumens offer a pledge of fidelity to the church and express their will to exist as baptized members of the Body of Christ.
For Colleen Corproam, a catechumen from St. Paul Parish, Cranston, the ceremony served as a special moment in her journey towards full initiation into the church. "It was very meaningful to me," she said. "I probably could have used a tissue at one point. To be at the altar and sign my name in front of the bishop was very profound. Everything that we have been talking about in class became real."
The catechumens returned to their seats after they signed their names in the Book of the Elect. Bishop Tobin then asked the candidates, those who have yet to receive all of the sacraments, to stand for the Call to Continuing Conversion. These individuals then acknowledged their call to continuing conversion, both of heart and soul. They were welcomed by their sponsors and the assembly to continue their journey into full membership with church.
The combined celebration of the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing conversion represents a special moment in the Lenten season. "It is a very joyful and positive day for us," said Bishop Tobin. "It is a time of renewal for all of us and a time of welcoming for our newest members."
During his homily, Bishop Tobin addressed the catechumens and candidates with a spirit of joy and excitement. "Your faith, dear brothers and sisters, is a real gift to us," he said. "Your faith will liven and strengthen our church."
Bishop Tobin told the elect that church teachings, the sacraments, and the support of the Catholic community are essential to their faith lives. "You need the church," he said. He then added, "Dear friends, the church also needs you. We need you to bring new life and faith to the church."
Many of the candidates and catechumens present at the celebration shared their excitement to be received as full members of the Catholic community. "We are one step closer," said Corproam.
"It's another milestone to come into Easter," said catechumen Will Blais, of St. Jude Parish, Lincoln. Blais, a senior at Roger WIlliams University, knows he has found his home in the Catholic Church. "I look forward to being able to fully participate in the Mass," he added.
For candidate Jason Couture, an RCIA classmate of Blais, the idea of becoming Catholic has always been in the back of his mind. Now, as he prepares to marry his fiancee, Amanda Hesford, he said he could not be more excited to receive the sacraments. Sunday's celebration, for Couture, represented "the opening of a door."
Now that they have formally entered the third and final stage of the RCIA, the elect anticipate that great day when they will be able to call themselves Catholic. All are invited to join with them as they respond to their call to be numbered among the saints.
(This article originally published in The Providence Visitor)
