By Mary Powers
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone welcomed catechumens and candidates from 37 parishes in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, along with their sponsors, to the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption on Feb. 26 for the Rite of Election.
The Rite of Election is part of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) where Catechumens indicate their desire to join the Catholic Church. Catechumens are those individuals who will be baptized into the Church at the Easter Vigil.
Candidates for Confirmation are also presented, and their sponsors attest to the candidates’ readiness for the sacrament. Candidates who are presented for Confirmation are individuals who have been baptized as Catholics or in another denomination but who have not been confirmed or have received the Eucharist.
In his homily, Archbishop Cordileone spoke of the blessing of unity within the Rite of Election, saying, “One of the great blessings of this Rite of Election every year is that, with representation from parishes all throughout the three counties of our Archdiocese, we see the wonderful diversity of our Church, united in one Profession of Faith….It is a joy for us to welcome you, and it is a joy for me personally to thank those of you who have accompanied these brothers and sisters of ours to this significant passage in their faith journey.”
