Rite of Election

We have adult Catholics who regularly participate in Mass and receive Communion who are seeking Confirmation. They participate in our RCIA. Should they be called forward in this liturgy?
No.  While you will want to invite them to this liturgy to support their companions, the Rite of Elec-tion and Call to Continuing Conversion is intended for those who have not yet been baptized, havebeen baptized Catholic but not catechized (have not celebrated their first Eucharist), or are seeking full communion with the Catholic Church from another Christian denomination. The ritual texts and actions are not intended to be “one size fits all.” Acknowledgment of this group—already actively participating in the Mass (by receiving Eucharist) but desiring to receive confirmation—in the parish may be more ap-propriate. Therefore, they should not be called forward with candidates who are not yet participating in the Eucharist. Please invite them to consider attending the annual Adult Confirmation Liturgy on Pente-cost Sunday with Bishop Donald Hying.

Our Catholic adults seeking Confirmation may be disappointed that they are not acknowledged at this liturgy. What should I tell them?
We encourage you to remind them that they already are in communion with the Catholic Church. Invite them to complete the sacrament of Confirmation on Pentecost Sunday with Bishop Donald Hying. Those who have not yet been baptized and those baptized in another Christian communion who seek to become members of the Catholic Church are not yet one with us, and this liturgy is a step on their path to full initiation. It’s not because we don’t want to acknowledge this group of people, it is simply that they are already members of the Catholic community through their baptism and participation in the Eucharist.

Does every catechumen and candidate need a Godparent or Sponsor?
Yes. The Godparent and Sponsor play an important role in the liturgy, testifying to the person’s readi-ness to enter the final period of intense preparation before the celebration of the Easter Sacraments. On a practical note, this person also serves as a companion for the catechumen or candidate, sitting with the person and supporting them on a personal level.

How long is this liturgy?
The liturgy will last about 1 hour and 15 minutes. A reception will be held in the gathering area after the liturgy.
We have children of catechetical age who are seeking Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. May they sign the Book of the Elect?
I f they are part of this RCIA process and are seeking all three Sacraments, they may sign the Book of the Elect. If they are unable to write their entire name in a timely fashion they may simply write their first name or a parent or sponsor should assist.

Is there reserved seating at the liturgy?
No.  Catechumens and Candidates are encouraged to sit with their sponsors, families,friends, and parishioners. St. John the Baptist Parish has same– level seating for over1,000 people (normally about 200-400 people participate in this liturgy). Please help everyone feel welcome at this liturgy. Please do not hold any seats for arrivals after 2:30 p.m.

What if there are last-minute changes among the catechumens or candidates?
If you know of the changes now, please email the Office of Worship ([email protected] ) or call Fr. Greg Ihm, (608-994-2526) if you don't reach anyone please leave a message. You may do this until noon on Monday, February 13, 2023.
If changes occur after that time, you may notify us on the day of the liturgy. There will be staff at a table in the gathering area to assist with any last-minute changes. Please go to the table as soon as you arrive. Catechumens and candidates do NOT need to “check-in” at this table. They may go directly into the church to find seating.
Please note that the booklet will be sent to the printer far in advance of the liturgy, so chang-es of the names in our booklet may not be possible after noon on Monday, February 13.

What ritual should we use in our parish prior to the Rite of Election and Call to Con-tinuing Conversion?
Since the enrollment of names, election, and call to continuing conversion take place at the diocesan celebration, the Rite of Sending is the appropriate liturgy for celebration prior to the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion. There are several variations of this rite in the ritual book:
If you are sending both catechumens and candidates see RCIA, numbers 530 and fol-lowing: Parish Celebration for Sending Catechumens for Election and Candidates for Recognition by the Bishop.
If you are sending only catechumens (no candidates) see RCIA, number 106 and fol-lowing: Sending of the Catechumens for Election.
In case of inclement weather...
We will do everything that we can to celebrate this diocesan liturgy. If it must be canceled due to the weather, we will post this information on our diocesan web page at
www.madisondiocese.org/RiteOfElection
the morning of February 26th. We also will alert social and other media outlets (TV and radio) as time allows. If this should happen, the liturgy will not be celebrated at the diocesan level, but may be celebrated the following week in the parish.
If the travel conditions are poor, each person is asked to determine whether or not they feel comfortable driving to Waunakee. While the liturgy is important, personal safety comes first.