Dear St. Paul Family and Friends,

This weekend, we begin the period of scrutiny for our three (3) Elects this year. For those who come to our 9:00 a.m. mass, you are aware of our friends whom we bless and send forth. Many are unaware though so let me take this chance to share with you the process (adapted from USCCB) these individuals go through in order to be received fully into the Catholic faith.

The process is called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Those interested in learning about the Catholic faith come together to learn about the scriptures, and the teachings of the Catholic Church, and to discover where God is present in their lives.

The journey begins with the Period of Evangelization and Pre-Catechumenate. The individual comes to some knowledge of Jesus and considers his or her relationship with him. After a conversation with a priest or a parish coordinator, the person, known as an “inquirer,” may seek acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, through the Rite of Acceptance. During this Rite, the inquirer states that he or she wants to become a baptized member of the Catholic Church and the parish assembly affirms this desire. The inquirer now becomes a Catechumen.

In the Period of the Catechumenate, the Catechumens consider what God is saying to them in the Scriptures, what changes in their life they need to make, and what Baptism in the Catholic Church means. When believed to be ready to make a faith commitment to Jesus in the Catholic Church, the next step is the Rite of Election.

The Rite of Election includes the enrollment of names of all the Catechumens. Together with their sponsors and families, the Catechumens publicly express their desire for baptism to the diocesan bishop and their names are recorded in a book and they are called the Elect.

The days of Lent are the final Period of Purification and Enlightenment through prayer, study, and spiritual direction. Then at Easter Vigil, the Elects receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist, and become fully initiated into the Catholic Church.

They continue their formation in the Period called Mystagogy. They reflect on their experiences at the Easter Vigil and continue to learn more about the Scriptures, the Sacraments, and the teachings of the Catholic Church. They also reflect on how they will serve Christ and help in the Church's mission.

If you feel called to go through this process, do not hesitate. God is calling you, listen to Him.