By Bishop Donald Sproxton
There has never been a greater number of people seeking baptism and full admission into the Catholic Church in Perth as there was at St Mary’s Cathedral last Tuesday.
One hundred and ninety two catechumens and candidates assembled for the Rite of Election. This annual Lenten event signals the end of the instructional period for the catechumens.
The Rite forms the threshold for their intensive spiritual preparation for the Easter Vigil and the celebration of baptism.
I find the Rite of Election is one of the great moments in the Church’s calendar.
We invite all those who are preparing for their entrance and initiation into the Church to go to the Cathedral to join the other candidates and the large crowd of Catholics for this step.
They are always astounded by the building and the people who make the effort to come and support them.
Their names are recorded in the Book of the Elect and the Catechumenate closes behind them.
As an Elect, back in their parishes they will pass through the Scrutinies, receive special blessings as they near the Great Easter Vigil, and be presented with the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer.
The Rite of Election is part of the Catechumenate , which was restored by the Second Vatican Council.
This initiative by the Council Fathers was considered vital for the fullest possible preparation of people called into the Catholic Church. It is a process that recognises the importance of the people being accompanied and supported in the journey towards Christ and his Church.
They are introduced to the community of the parish, at the same time being instructed about the nature of Church and its life.
They have the chance to hear the personal stories of faith and witness from their sponsors, catechists and priests, and they learn how to read the traces of God’s presence in their own lives.
Last Tuesday, I had the chance to briefly greet the Elect during the celebration. It was very moving to hear how they had come to the decision to follow Christ in the Catholic Church. Quite a number had found the faith of their spouse inspirational. Others had had children at a Catholic school and been moved by the celebration of their Sacraments and the pastoral care of the school staff.
Some had come from a Christian family but had never been baptised and yet had felt the presence of God for a long time. It would have been wonderful to have been able to listen to each of their stories.
The Rite of Election, once again, was joyous and a deeply spiritual moment for all concerned. It was remarked by one of the Elect, that the experience must be like the Transfiguration of Jesus before the disciples.
From the mountain, Jesus walked steadily towards Jerusalem and to his destiny of the Passion, Death and Resurrection.
For the Elect, they will now walk happily towards their baptism, knowing that they will meet Jesus the Risen One in those waters. They will experience the new life, emerging from the waters of baptism as a new creation.