Rite of Election: Invitations Accepted

By Rob Herbst
The Catholic Week
More and more people within the Archdiocese of Mobile continue to enter the Catholic Church.
For the second consecutive year, the archdiocese will have its largest group entering the Church since at least 2014. Numbers are not finalized, but 447 catechumens and candidates are expected to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church on the Easter Vigil on April 19. 
About 355 catechumens and candidates entered last year, which had been the largest group in at least a decade. 
Those entering the Church come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but according to Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi, all have at least one similarity – they were invited by someone already Catholic.
“There’s a common element in each one of you – that someone invited you, someone encouraged you to think about coming into full Communion with the Catholic Church,”
Archbishop Rodi said to catechumens and candidates during one of three Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion liturgies this month.
Those who offered that invitation are a “blessing … to you and to the Church,” he added.
The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion is a final step for catechumens and candidates preparing to enter the Church. Catechumens are unbaptized and will receive the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation during the Easter Vigil at their respective parishes.
Candidates have been baptized in a different Christian tradition. 
Three liturgies were held in Dothan, Montgomery and Mobile in March, where Archbishop Rodi personally greeted catechumens and candidates.
While he thanked those who offered an invitation, Archbishop Rodi also encouraged catechumens and candidates to do the same. 
“Just as someone probably encouraged you to be a part of the Church … you go out and encourage others to come by your words and your example.”
As the Easter Vigil nears, please pray for and welcome catechumens and candidates at your parish. A special thank you goes out to all sponsors for playing an important role in their faith journey.

For a look at all of the photos taken ​at the liturgies, click the link below:
https://mobarch.org/photoalbums/2025-rite-of-election