rite of election

Bishop Loverde Presides Over Rite of Election

By Alfonso Aguilar
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the Issue of 3/1/07)

A total of 623 catechumens and candidates from 48 participating parishes attended the annual Rite of Election held at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington last weekend.
The two-day event was presided over by Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde, and the annual celebration is the most significant evangelization event of the liturgical year in any diocese.
These catechumens (the unbaptized) and candidates (already baptized and on the journey to full communion with the Church) came to the cathedral with their sponsors practicing Catholics witnessing to their faith.
“Approximately 730 people attended the event on Saturday and 960 people on Sunday, with many people contributing their time, talents and energy towards making this a beautiful and memorable event,” said Father Paul deLadurantaye, director of the diocesan Office of Sacred Liturgy, who presented the candidates to the bishop.
Following the rite, candidates come to bear witness to their developing faith and their commitment to Christ and the Church. They come to gather, in the presence of their bishop for the first time, to declare their intentions and their commitment.
“They experience, for the first time, a sense of belonging to a larger, universal Church and to celebrate with others on the journey that they will make for the first time,” said Father deLadurantaye.
Year after year, parish leaders say that this experience, which is being celebrated throughout the Church in the United States and around the world, is profoundly moving for those who participate.
Following the rite, the bishop greeted those present at a reception in Burke Hall. The reception was hosted by the Arlington Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, headed by Liz Schiavone, as part of the hospitality extended on behalf of the diocese to its new members in faith.
“The rite is always a beautiful event, an expression of the unity of the Church,” said Father deLadurantaye. “People from the whole diocese came together to see people from other parts of the diocese and to witness their entrance to sacremental life and the communion of the Church.”

Alfonso Aguilar can be reached at aaguilar@catholicherald.com.