By Lisa Benoit
Hawaii Catholic Herald
About 150 catechumens signed their names in the Book of the Elect during the Rite of Election at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu, Feb. 13, signifying their desire to be received into the Catholic Church this Easter.
During the rite, diocesan administrator Father Tom Gross officially acknowledged and welcomed the future converts who, through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults or RCIA, have been preparing to be baptized, confirmed and to receive First Eucharist during the Easter Vigil, March 26, in their parishes.
The Rite of Election is generally held on or around the First Sunday of Lent, which was early this year on Feb. 13. It marks the beginning of the catechumens’ final preparation before Easter. The time coincides with Lent, a time of purification, penance and renewal for the Catholic faithful.
At the Co-Cathedral, the elect came from all over the island and varied in age from children to the elderly. They were among the state-wide total of 195 catechumens, a number that is about 16 percent lower than last year’s total of 235.
Rites for the neighbor islands will take place over the next few weeks.
“As we meet our temptation and choose evil over good, we have to resist the temptation to expect our church to be perfect,” Father Gross told the catechumens and their sponsors and guests.
The diocesan administrator said that Christians new and old should resist the temptation to look to the church to entertain or serve them. Rather, he said, the church was “founded to help develop our faith together as a community.”
“Catechumens are on a journey of faith,” he said. “You have found the Catholic Church. We are all on a faith journey together to overcome the world.”
The Rite of Election marks the beginning of the journey, Father Gross said.
“You are ready to take part in the sacraments, your pledge of fidelity,” he said. “You will now be called the elect.”
Father Gross lightheartedly suggested that, in addition to the sacraments, the church should hand out awards for conquering the often befuddling new vocabulary associated with the RCIA process, words such as “catechumen,” “neophyte,” “exorcism” and “mystagogia.”
“Don’t let these words overwhelm you,” he said. “The important thing is that you feel welcome and accepted.”
“We make a commitment to you to be examples,” Father Gross said, “a loving support to accompany you into full membership.”
“You give us great hope,” he said. “Be assured of our loving support for you where you will share fully with us at the table of the Lord.”
The ceremony is one of five Rites of Election in the diocese. The other ceremonies are as follows:
-- Kauai: Feb. 24, 7 p.m., Immaculate Conception Church, Lihue, Father Joseph A. Grimaldi, presider.
-- Maui: Feb. 26, 10 a.m., Maria Lanakila Parish, Lahaina, Father Grimaldi, presider.
-- East Hawaii: March 5, 10 a.m., St. Joseph Church, Hilo, Father Gross presider.
-- West Hawaii: March 12, 10 a.m., St. Benedict Church, Captain Cook, Father Gross presider.
This year counted 39 fewer catechumens than last year’s 235. It is the first year since 2000 that the number of Hawaii converts has dropped below 200. The years and totals are: 2003 – 218; 2002 –258; 2001 –246 and 2000 – 193.
The Easter Vigil will also “bring into full communion” with the Catholic Church those who are already baptized but have not yet received the sacraments of confirmation and Holy Eucharist
This year, 104 adults and 8 children in Hawaii will be received into full communion.
The sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Holy Eucharist are collectively called the sacraments of initiation.