February 14, 2016 – The Rite of Election of Catechumens and the Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates for Full Communion took place during two prayer services, which were held at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg. There were 236 catechumens in attendance at the 1:30 p.m.  service and 196 catechumens in attendance at the 4:00 p.m. service. There were 218 candidates in attendance at the 1:30 p.m. service and 224 candidates in attendance at the 4:00 p.m. service.

Photos from 1:30 p.m. Rite of Election

Photos from 4:00 p.m. Rite of Election

During the celebration of Evening Prayer, the Bishop or his delegate greets those unbaptized persons age 7 and older (“catechumens”) who are preparing to enter the Church at Easter through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.  From this point until their initiation, they are now known as the “elect.”  He also welcomes those who have been baptized in other Christian communities (“candidates”) and who wish to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church at Easter, receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.  In addition, the Bishop or his delegate prays for the elect and candidates, that they will grow deeper in their love for Christ throughout this final period of preparation before they are received into the Church.  Please keep our elect and candidates, their sponsors, family members and catechists in your prayers as they continue their journey toward the Easter sacraments.