More than 900 catechumens became members of the Elect --- or chosen by the church --- during two afternoon liturgies celebrated Feb. 13 in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
Men, women and children, sent by parishes from the five pastoral regions of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles --- along with their sponsors --- took part in the sacred ceremony beginning their final preparation for receiving the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
Regional Auxiliary Bishops Alexander Salazar (San Pedro), Gerald Wilkerson (San Fernando), Edward Clark (Our Lady of the Angels), Gabino Zavala (San Gabriel) and Oscar Solis (representing Thomas Curry of Santa Barbara) called their parishes up one by one, until the sanctuary overflowed.
After sponsors confirmed that the catechumens were worthy to be admitted to the sacraments of Christian initiation, Cardinal Roger Mahony asked the catechumens gathered around him near the altar: "Do you wish to enter fully into the light of the Church through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist?"
"We do," the catechumens responded.
In his homily, delivered in English and Spanish, Cardinal Mahony stressed that Lent was a good season to seek the plan of God instead of one's own.
"Lent is going to be your great strength to continue this struggle," he told the Elect. "The Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus Christ, is the great nourishment you will receive after you're baptized. And that can nourish us the rest of our lives --- with the help of Jesus to chose only what we need, not what we desire.
"We're not afraid that Satan is around because we have the assurance that the power of Jesus Christ within us can sustain us. Let us enter these final 40 days confident because the Lord Jesus Christ is with us. Let us say as he did, 'Satan, be gone! I am Jesus, the son of God. And with his presence and power I need nothing else.'"
The Rite of Election marks the conversion journeys of adults and children who are ready to receive the sacraments of initiative. During their parish preparations, catechumens acquire basic knowledge about Christian teaching; develop a spirit of faith and charity; and undergo a conversion of mind and action.
The rite expresses publicly each catechumen's intention to receive the sacraments of the Church. Their status as "elect" shows that they are persons different from others because they are God chosen.
Craig Mattox of Our Lady of Malibu Church, Malibu, said he felt he had been chosen by God. But the 48-year-old Los Angeles County lifeguard acknowledged that his spiritual journey took a while.
"After I married my wife 12 years ago, I wanted to really get involved with the church because she was so involved and all my children were baptized," he said. "But there were some things I didn't agree with the church at first. I'm agreeing with them now, because I didn't understand why they were.
"Right now I just feel a bit light," he added. "I feel like I've handed a lot of my load off. I just feel real good."
Vandy Chin, from Our Lady of Mount Carmel mission at St. Anthony parish in Long Beach, also had a long journey to Catholicism. The 50-year-old Cambodian refugee and single mother of four started attending a Baptist church in her homeland and continued when she came to the United States eight years ago. But she never felt spiritually fulfilled or a genuine sense of community.
"I want to learn more about God and how human beings can become the light to the world," she explained. "Every church is different, but I like the Catholic Church. Because most Catholics are happy people. They are a real community."
On March 5, the Rite of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion will be celebrated for baptized individuals wishing to complete their Christian initiation. |