Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will lead the Celebration of the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion on Sunday March 5, 3:00pm at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Fairfield.
The service for those preparing to enter the Catholic Church is traditionally held on the first Sunday of Lent as parishes across the world celebrate those who have entered The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process.
This year 80 catechumens and 263 candidates will participate in the Rite of Election, the last step before receiving the sacraments of initiation during the Easter Vigil. Every catechumen (non-baptized person) and candidate (those who were baptized but did not receive further sacraments) will greet the Bishop personally and individually during the Rite.
At this celebration the local community has the opportunity to express its approval of the catechumens and candidates and sends them forth to the celebration of election and assures them of their parish’s care, support, and prayers.
The RCIA Process consists of four phases: Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification & Enlightenment, and Mystagogy. At Easter Vigils across the Diocese, adults will receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
The RCIA process is guided by the Office of Faith Formation. The goal of the office is to foster, guide, and support the endeavor of life-long formation in the teachings of Christ and all aspects of the Catholic Faith on both the parish and diocesan levels.
Under the direction of the Bishop, chief catechist of the diocese, the Office of Faith Formation strives to accomplish this goal of catechesis and evangelization for all ages by supporting and building up parish catechetical programs, youth and young adult ministries, adult formation, Christian Initiation, pro-life/family life activities, marriage preparation, and formation programs for teachers, catechists, catechetical leaders, and clergy.
A mandatory rehearsal will be held for all catechumens and candidates at 2 pm. Doors open at 1:30. For more information regarding RCIA and adult formation within the Diocese, call Rose Talbot Babey at 203-416-1648 or email rtalbotbabey@diobpt.org
