Together on the Journey: A Weekly Word from Archbishop Hebda
The first Sunday in Lent marks the annual “Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion” and I’m still on the proverbial “cloud nine.” It’s a wonderful and faith-filled gathering for all who will be entering the Catholic Church this Easter, along with their godparents, sponsors and catechists. In our Archdiocese, we schedule two separate celebrations: one at the Cathedral and the other at the Basilica. I was blessed to be the presider at the Cathedral. It’s hard to imagine a more hopeful event.
Perhaps you were at a parish Mass yesterday morning when those who have been preparing for baptism, the catechumens, were called forward for the “Rite of Sending for Election.” After witness was given concerning their readiness for initiation, they would have been asked to sign the “Book of the Elect” and then sent to the Cathedral or Basilica with the prayers of the parish community that has been forming them in the faith. Accompanying them would also be those from your parish preparing for Confirmation and Eucharist, the other sacraments of initiation.
At the Cathedral and Basilica, the catechumens were formally “elected” to be baptized, while the others were “called to continuing conversion” in this Lenten season. I consider it a great privilege to be able to help them take this next step in preparation for Easter. I love hearing their stories of what and who brought them to our faith. Many pointed to the example of loving Catholic spouses, inquisitive children or faith-filled co-workers. I asked one gentleman how long he has been preparing and he responded “thirty years—I’ve been coming to Mass with my Catholic wife for three decades and finally realized what the Lord was asking of me!” The Holy Spirit has a timeline all his own. We’re blessed that he has called so many catechists, OCIA volunteers, priests and deacons to this important ministry.
I am reminded this year that the Holy Spirit is always full of surprises. It’s hard to explain this season’s numbers (other than as a result of your prayers). If you can believe it, there will be 605 individuals in our Archdiocese who will be receiving baptism this Easter and another 1,131 who be celebrating the other sacraments of initiation. That’s a total of 1,736 new Catholics. Praise God! Last year, we had in comparison a total of 1,126 (which I rightly considered a bumper crop). Amazingly, the early reports are that the numbers are up across our country, as well as in England and France.
Please join me in giving thanks to God for these soon-to-be new Catholics. I hope, moreover, that you will be praying for them throughout Lent. In the history of the Church, Lent grew out of the period of fasting that was customary for those who would be entering the Church. In time, those who were already Catholic embraced the Lenten season with more prayer, fasting and almsgiving partly in solidarity with the catechumens, but also because of the recognition that we all are in need of ongoing conversion.
With that in mind, allow me to offer a gentle reminder that Lent is the perfect time for a good confession, while we are still remembering the admonition that we probably heard on Ash Wednesday: “turn away from sin and believe the Gospel.” I’m so grateful that our priests are heroically generous in setting aside extra time during the Lenten season to offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The grace we receive from this true encounter with God’s mercy is key not only to our repentance, but to our holiness moving forward. Please know of my prayers for a blessed Lent.
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