HOUSTON — An important part of Lent leading up to Easter is the election of catechumens (unbaptized) and candidates studying in formation to be welcomed into the Church in full initiation as new Catholics. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, celebrated the Rite of Election for those preparing to enter the Catholic Church at Easter, welcoming the largest group of candidates and catechumens to date. A total of 2,669 people from 114 parishes across the Archdiocese are set to join the Catholic Church.
The rites were celebrated across the Archdiocese at six different Liturgies on March 8 and March 9. The bilingual Liturgies were held at St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish in Spring, Mary Queen Parish in Friendswood, Christ the Redeemer Parish in northwest Houston, St. Michael Parish in the Galleria area, St. Anthony of Padua Parish in The Woodlands and the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston.
Faithful from parishes all around the Archdiocese, from Navasota to Galveston, attended the Liturgies. Among the parishes with the largest numbers of soon-to-be new Catholics were St. Jerome in Houston, with 97 catechumens and three candidates, and St. Juan Diego in Pasadena, with 77 catechumens. Though some parishes may have fewer numbers, such as a trio from Rice University, their faith journey is equally significant and recognized during the Rite of Election.
