Catechumen Rebecca Rud, who is participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults at St. Anne in Hamel, greets Archbishop John Nienstedt during The Rite of Election and The Call to Continuing Conversion at the Cathedral of St. Paul Feb. 17. Rud and other catechumens and candidates from throughout the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis came to the Cathedral for the ceremony. A similar ceremony with Bishop Lee Piché was held at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. (Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit)
Catechumen Jacqueline Aleman, who is going through RCIA at St. Mark in St. Paul, greets Archbishop John Nienstedt during The Rite of Election and The Call to Continuing Conversion at the Cathedral of St. Paul Feb. 17. At left is Elisa Cady, RCIA director at St. Mark, and at right is Beatriz Panameno, one of Aleman’s sponsors. The rite marks the beginning of the final preparation of catechumens (those not baptized) for the sacraments of initiation, typically celebrated at the Easter Vigil. From the time of the Rite of Election until the time of their initiation, the catechumens are referred to as “members of the elect.” During the Call to Continuing Conversion, individuals who already are baptized and who are preparing for entrance into the Catholic Church are recognized. (Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit)
Catechumen Heather Kasel signs the Book of the Elect at Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul Feb. 17. Kasel went to The Rite of Election and The Call to Continuing Conversion at the Cathedral of St. Paul that afternoon. As of Feb. 12, 214 catechumens and 473 candidates were preparing for initiation. (Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit)
