The Rite of Election - 2007

485 to be received into the Church this Easter

Archbishop Kevin, our auxiliary bishops and Deacon Malcolm Turner before the service

On Saturday 24th February at Saint George's Cathedral 485 people asking to be received into the Catholic Church in our diocese were welcomed by Archbishop Kevin during the Rite of Election. They came from 88 parishes around the diocese and were accompanied by their godparents and sponsors, their catechists and priests, and their families and friends.

Archbishop Kevin with a few of the parish priests attending the service: Father Vincent Flynn (Surbiton), Canon John Watts (Orpington) and Canon James Cronin (Cathedral Dean)

The celebration of the Rite of Election takes place at the beginning of Lent for those who will receive the sacraments of initiation - Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.

The Archbishop enters the Cathedral - the servers came from the parish of SS Peter and Paul, Mitcham

The 212 Catechumens (those preparing for baptism) became the 'elect', those 'chosen' for baptism this Easter, together with the 273 Candidates (those already baptised and now preparing to complete their initiation into the Church by receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist) were welcomed and encouraged on their journey.

Please pray for the Elect and the Candidates as they begin the final period of their preparation to receive the Sacraments.

Prayer from the Rite of Election:

God of love and power,
it is your will to establish everything in Christ
and to draw us into his all-embracing love.
Guide these chosen brothers and sisters of ours,
strengthen them in their vocation,
build them into the kingdom of your Son
and seal them with the Spirit of your promise.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.