OCIA Coordinators’ Update 03/07/2025
Two OCIA Rites - March 9
- Sending for Election (Saint Clement 11:15 am Mass)
- Election (Holy Name Cathedral 7 pm)
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Update shared March 7, 2025
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The second step in the process of Christian Initiation is called both election and enrollment of names. This closes the period of the catechumenate, which began with the Rite of Entrance into the Catechumenate, January 19. This stage marks the final, more intense preparation for the sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation and Eucharist, at the Easter Vigil.
The Archdiocesan Bishop or one of his auxiliary bishops is the ordinary celebrant of the Rite of Election. Our unbaptized OCIA members will be “elected,” at Holy Name Cathedral at 7 pm, Sunday, March 9 and called to approach the next celebration of the sacraments of initiation, which will take place at the Easter Vigil. Those already baptized are called to continuing conversion, as are all Christians. We will accompany them with our Lenten journey.
The Church judges their state of readiness on the testimony of their sponsors and catechists and decides on their advancement toward the sacraments of initiation. This step is called “election” because the acceptance made by the Church is founded on their election by God, in whose name the Church acts.
This step is also called the “enrollment of names” because, as a pledge of fidelity to their journey, the elect inscribe their names in the book that lists those catechumens who have been chosen for initiation. The Saint Clement Book of the Elect is kept alongside our parish sacramental records.
Our OCIA members seeking baptism will be commended with prayer and sign the Book of the Elect at the 11:15 am Mass, Sunday, March 9. Baptized members of our OCIA cohort will be called to continuing conversion. The Saint Clement Book of the Elect will be presented to the bishop at the 7 pm service of the Word of God.
For more information, please contact Ed Harasim, OCIA Coordinator, eharasim@clement.org or Fr. Brett Williams, bawilliams@clement.org
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