Joshua Quintanilla has the look of a man at peace as he stands by himself in the vestibule at St. Timothy Church in Chantilly.
He is waiting to meet his sponsor before the Rite of Election ceremony Feb. 18, and he smiles graciously before speaking about what he is about to do. “A year ago I was completely atheist. I did not believe in God at all,” he said. “I just went on this journey, and initially I thought Islam was going to be my religion. I was researching and just praying to God to lead me to the truth and I was eventually led to the Catholic Church.”
Quintanilla was one of 242 men and women participating in the Rite of Election, when unbaptized catechumens are formally declared to be the elect of God, chosen for baptism. Catechumens previously signed their name in the book of the elect, then came forward to witness Bishop Michael F. Burbidge sign the book and welcome each person.
“I watched a lot of debates between Islamic apologists and Christian apologists,” said Quintanilla, who attends Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Winchester. “Once I was convinced that Christianity was the true religion, I prayed to know within Christianity, which was the true way to worship and God led me to Catholicism.”
“It’s quite incredible,” said Jim Bell, Quintanilla’s sponsor. “He is learning to be deeply rooted in his Catholic faith. You can tell the Holy Spirit is working really hard with him. It is just a wonderful and beautiful journey.”
While Quintanilla said his journey was mostly intellectual, Ashley Medrano said it is “the tradition, the Mass itself – what it represents, and the community,” that attracted her. Medrano will enter the church at the Easter Vigil at St. William of York Church in Stafford. When asked what receiving the Eucharist for the first time will mean to her, she paused, then said, “Everything.”
Valeria and Kevin Snyder will both be received into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in their 12th year of marriage. “This is an emotional day for me because I’ve been on a really long journey to find where I belong,” said Valeria. She participated in the Rite of Election as an unbaptized catechumen. “The most special part about this is we’re finally finding a church and a family where we can fully express our faith and the truth in Christianity,” said Kevin, who has been baptized already. Receiving the Eucharist together will be “another beautiful step in our life together,” he said.
The Snyders were accompanied by Father Nicholas R. Barnes, parochial vicar of the cathedral. “It’s wonderful to see them take this so seriously, and to have an authenticity in their hearts,” he said. “People are attracted to the truth, and what’s brought them here is the truth in the person of Jesus Christ,” he said.
Colin Bryan is becoming Catholic after life as a non-denominational Christian. “I was looking for more certainty, more structure and more oneness with the Lord,” said Bryan, who is in RCIA at Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville. “As I researched denominations, Catholicism just spoke to me,” he said. “It’s been a good couple of months learning, and actually reading through the entire Bible for the first time. I’m really excited for the next steps.”
A total of 43 parishes were represented at the rite, up from 155 catechumens across 37 parishes last year.
Bishop Burbidge assured the catechumens that, “You’re here today as part of God’s plan — the one who formed you in the womb, the one who has chosen you. The one who is promising to make you a new creation, and to remain with you every step of the way,” he said. “In just a few moments it will be my great joy and privilege to declare you members of the elect.”
