Marcia Baeza, a candidate for confirmation from St. Gertrude Church in Kingsville, is greeted by Bishop Carmody. (Photo by STC/Liz Riggle)

"The Lord has called each one of you by name. What a great honor," said Bishop Edmond Carmody at the March 1 Rite of Election at Corpus Christi Cathedral.

Catechumens, candidates, along with their godparents, sponsors, family and friends filled the cathedral and even overflowed into the choir loft.

For catechumens, people not yet baptized, the Rite of Election, held on the first Sunday of Lent, marked the beginning of the final stage of their journey of faith. For candidates, who are already baptized Christians, the start of Lent meant participating in a Call to Continuing Conversion. Many candidates were raised in a different faith. Some were baptized Catholic but never received first Communion as children or were not confirmed.

Catechumens will receive baptism, confirmation and first Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. Candidates will enter full communion with the church by receiving confirmation and first Eucharist.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults spells out the formation of catechumens and the steps of their preparation for the three sacraments of initiation. For candidates, because they are already baptized, the program of formation and preparation is distinct, although there are often parallels with the RCIA and members of both groups often meet together in their parish formation programs.

The Rite of Election felt like "the birth of the church," for Debbie Shea, a cathedral parishioner and sponsor for candidate Carol Hunsaker.

"This is a beautiful event. You feel such closeness with everyone attending even though you are from different parishes."

Bishop Carmody welcomed everyone saying, "It is a great joy to greet all of the candidates and catechumens."

Father Peter Marsalek, a priest of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity and diocesan director of religious education, gave the homily and said, "What God has chosen let no one stand in his way. You are witnesses to the faith just as St. Paul. The church today needs witnesses. Each of you brings with you your own talents and gifts. We need you to bring your gifts to the church."

Bishop Carmody then greeted each of the catechumens, who became the elect, after signing the Book of the Elect at their respective parishes earlier that day. Each parish's book was brought to the cathedral to be in turn signed by the bishop.



Clark Cook will receive the sacraments of initiation during the Easter Vigil at his parish, Our Lady of Assumption in Ingleside. "I drive by the church a lot, and I was always seeing people praying. It sparked my interest." "I have been quite impressed with what I have learned," said Cook of the RCIA process. "It is good to have an open mind and heart to God."

Sara Muilman is a candidate for the sacrament of Confirmation. A parishioner at St. Thomas More, Muilman said she had been thinking about receiving the sacrament of Confirmation "for years." "I wanted a stronger faith, and I wanted to be closer to God. I want to keep growing in my faith."

Candidate Marcia Baeza and her sponsor Celina Camarena parishioners of St. Gertrude in Kingsville were both filled with enthusiasm. "I am very nervous and excited," said Baeza. "I have been planning on getting confirmed for a long time. I have always been very firm in my belief. I needed to feel complete in my faith."

Camarena stated she had met Baeza in graduate school at A&M Kingsville. "Marcia asked me, and I am honored to be her sponsor."

After the rite, Debbie Shea said, "I am a convert to the Catholic faith and being a sponsor gives me a chance to recall what I went through in the conversion process. I am so happy to be part of such a beautiful event."