More than 700 candidates and an equal number of their sponsors filled the sanctuary of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels when called up by Cardinal Roger Mahony for a group blessing during the afternoon "Rite of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion" ceremony on March 12.

Surveying the group surrounding the cathedra and spilling into the side pews, Cardinal Mahony joked, "It would seem we built the cathedral too small, but it's too late now."

Indeed, the number of candidates attending the ceremony each year has become so large that two formal, bilingual ceremonies, at 3 and 7 p.m., are celebrated at the cathedral. They will all be welcomed into full communion in the Catholic Church at the Easter vigil in their own parishes.

A total of about 1,250 candidates attended the two "Rite of Calling" ceremonies at the Cathedral last Sunday, one week after a similar number of catechumens had attended the Rite of the Elect, reported Sandra Dooley, director of the Office of Worship. In the Santa Barbara Region, another 176 candidates and 83 catechumens participated in Rites celebrated March 5 at La Purísima Concepción Church in Lompoc and Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Ventura, with Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Curry presiding.

The catechumens (unbaptized), now known as the Elect, and candidates (those already baptized) will be welcomed into full communion in the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil in their own parishes. Dooley said that the number of candidates this year is typical of the number the church receives annually in the archdiocese.

Auxiliary Bishop Alexander Salazar, who gave the homily during the Rite of Calling, said that the cross of Christ was the "price of discipleship."

"Each disciple of Jesus has received the cross of Christ," he said. "We are on a journey together carrying the cross that Jesus has given to each one of us --- a cross that perhaps we did not want and perhaps we did not expect. Jesus continues to say, 'If you wish to be my disciple, pick up your cross and follow me.'"

Bishop Salazar said the sacraments for full reception into the Catholic Church each have their own sign of the cross of Christ. During the sacrament of reconciliation, the priest will trace the cross on their foreheads. At the sacrament of confirmation, the priest or bishop will also trace the sign of the cross in holy chrism on their foreheads as he "invites the Holy Spirit to dwell" with them and "strengthen the gift of baptism" they have received. He said that First Eucharist also has its own cross.

"When we receive the Eucharist, we realize that it is because of Jesus and his death on the cross giving his life for you and me that we are able to receive the gift of his life, the gift of Eucharist," Bishop Salazar said in both English and Spanish. "It helps us on this journey of life as we carry the cross with the Lord."

After the homily, all candidates and their sponsors were called from their pews into the sanctuary , where Cardinal Mahony prayed a blessing over them.

Kristina Tomicich-Kankiewicz and her husband, Jason, from Mary Star of the Sea Church in San Pedro at the Easter Vigil, said they decided to fully enter the Catholic Church after they got engaged last year and wanted to get married in their parish.

The couple said their pastor, Msgr. Patrick Gallagher, was influential in sparking their enthusiasm to enter fully into the Catholic Church. The pastor and their sponsors, Nancy and Rosario Scognamillo, helped answer their questions and the Kankiewiczes said their parish experience has been positive and welcoming.

"It is very powerful," Jason said of his upcoming initiation. "We are glad we signed up and we are looking forward to being confirmed and to being part of a large Catholic community."

Noel Zavala, 21, and his brother William, 20, attended the 3 p.m. rite with their sponsors, Robert and Genevieve Zavala, and their parents, Raymond and Patricia Zavala. The Zavala brothers are two of nearly 30 people who will be fully received into the Catholic Church at Sacred Heart Church in Lancaster.

William said he took this step toward full communion because he was "getting older and felt a disconnect" from his faith. He said he knew he wanted to receive the Eucharist and confirmation.

Noel said that he realized that he "wanted to learn a lot more" about his faith. "I'm a lot more patient and not worried about how things are," he said. "I'm learning to let God be God."