RITE OF ELECTION

All right, I'm a few days late to post this, but here I am!

Monday was a crazy day, to start off with. I had to work all day, but thankfully managed to get out early. Then I had to rush home, change into something decent, do the hair and makeup, and then scoot over the Wittkoskis' house. Irene had invited me to have dinner with her before we drove to the Cathedral of St. Andrew for the service.

For those who aren't aware, The Rite of Election is when those of us in RCIA go to the Cathedral to be received by the bishop. It's really where the Church accepts us as catechumen/candidates. Actually, the ceremony was called "The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion". The Rite of Election is for the people who aren't baptized. These are the ones who sign their names in the Book of the Elect. The Call to Continuing Conversion is for those who have been baptized. I happen to fall in the latter group.

This rite was unbelievable awesome, and as we had front row seats, we had a good view of the spectacle--up close and personal. It's hard to put into words just what I was feeling. I wasn't anticipating getting so emotional, but I found myself getting teary-eyed and goose pimply. The music was majestic and filled the cathedral to the rafters. It literally resounded through the place and shook one to the core!

To begin, the Books of the Elect from each of the parish's represented were brought up to the altar, one parish at a time. As we sang "All People That on Earth Do Dwell," the cross bearer, altar servers, and deacon carrying the Book the the Gospel came in. Then, the priests proceeded forth in their vestments. Bishop Hurley brought up the rear. My, what a sight he was, with his miter, shepherd's crook, and purple cope! Bishop Hurley gave the opening remarks, and then we embarked on the various bible readings, done in both English and Spanish.

Following the readings, they had the catechumen stand for the godparents' and assembly's affirmation. This was followed by the candidates standing for the celebration of the call to continuing conversion.

Finally, the time came for each parish to present their catachumen/candidates to the Bishop. We were about halfway down the list. We were called up to the front before the altar, and one by one, as our names were called, we climbed the stairs, crossed in front of the altar, to where the Bishop stood. He was incredible kind. He put his left hand on my shoulder, shook my hand with his right hand, and spoke of how wonderful it was that I was coming into the Church. There was so much genuine warmth from this man. Then I exited to the right, circle in back of the altar, and proceed back to my pew. It went on this way for all of us.

When all of us had been presented to the bishop, we (the catechumen and candidates) were instructed to kneel for the intercessions. Our sponsors placed their right hand on our shoulders when the prayers were said. It was very moving, one of the more moving moments of the service.

Finally, we were dismissed and we headed home. It was an emotional evening, one I had looked forward to for so long. We are now accepted by the Church.