By: By Jennifer Willems

When nearly 1,500 people come together at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria next Sunday for the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion, they will witness “an outward sign of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Diocese of Peoria.”

“The bishop has recently made the comment that the Diocese of Peoria is a growing diocese and this is a sign that it is truly growing — not only on the level of priestly vocations and religious vocations, but we are also making the Catholic faith attractive and available to those who are interested,” said Dr. Vincent McClean, director of the diocesan Office of Catechetics. “It says we’re doing something right here.”

Among those who will be attending the prayer services at 3:30 and 6 p.m. on March 13 are 376 men, women and children who will declare their intention to proceed to the Easter sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist.

That includes 127 catechumens — those who are not yet baptized. At the Rite of Election, Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, will recognize them as “the elect” or those chosen by God to be his own.

In addition, there are 249 candidates — people seeking to complete their Christian initiation. Some are Catholics who were baptized but haven’t been confirmed or received the Eucharist, while others have been baptized in another Christian denomination and now wish to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church. Bishop Jenky will call them to continuing conversion as members of the body of Christ.

As part of the ceremony, the godparents, sponsors, families and the members of their diocesan family who are present will promise to pray for and support the catechumens and candidates as they make their final preparation for the Easter Vigil, which is April 23.

McClean said it is important for those who are hoping to enter the Catholic Church to see those people gathered around them and be assured of prayer, because “all of that is a support system, which in a very secular society people need.”

“It’s an emotional experience, because they do meet the bishop, but they also see that they’re making progress along the journey,” McClean told The Catholic Post.

“It is inspiring,” he added. “Many of the candidates and catechumens are young people and that is the future of our church.”

Even those who do not know someone preparing for the Easter sacraments can benefit from attending the Rite of Election, McClean said, noting that “is not only a community event, it is a spiritual event and it is a social event. It’s good for all the people of the diocese to see that there’s a bigger church.”

For more information about the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion, call the Office of Catechetics at (309) 671-1550.