More than 300 Boston catechumens who underwent the Rite of Election and Baptism are now preparing to receive their confirmation on Easter Sunday.
According to The Boston Pilot, Card. Sean O'Malley of the Archdiocese of Boston presided over the Rite of Election on Feb. 26 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. During the event, more than 300 future Catholics took the initial steps toward entering the Catholic fold.
Easter Confirmation Preparations
The Boston Pilot reported that Cardinal O'Malley called Lent a "baptismal retreat" during his Rite of Election homily.
"It's a time for us to look at our spiritual GPS and to recalibrate if we are straying from the path, to turn back to God and to deepen our own conversion," The Boston Pilot quoted the cardinal saying.
The catechumens reportedly comprised St. Ignatius Parish and Boston College (BC) participants. The Rite of Election coincided with the First Sunday of Lent, which traditionally marks the Catholic Church's annual Lenten celebration.
Lent, O'Malley said, commemorates Jesus' 40-day fasting in the desert.
During the Rite of Election on Feb. 26, catechumens received the sacraments of Baptism and Communion. Their entry into the Catholic Church would be complete with their confirmation on Easter vigil.
Cardinal O'Malley told the catechumens that the Rite of Election is important for those entering the Catholic fold.
"It reminds us that the Lord is calling us. He has chosen us for a life of discipleship together. May this Lent help all of us to embrace our full identity as Jesus' disciples in the Church, to live joyfully and courageously follow the Lord in faith, hope, and love. Welcome aboard," O'Malley told the catechumens.
Catechumens Discuss Experience
Two of the hundreds of catechumens for this year's Rite of Election told The Boston Pilot about their experience.
Elliana, a Boston College student, said she transferred to BC because she wanted to be in a 'more Catholic' environment. Elliana explained that she does not belong to a Catholic family, and her ex-boyfriend's family introduced her to the Church.
She told the news outlet that she felt the desire to convert to Catholicism once she fell in love with the Catholic community she was exposed to.
Meanwhile, a Chinese international student at BC named Leon told The Boston Pilot that his journey into the Catholic fold came as a chance encounter.
Leon disclosed that he saw confessions being offered at St. Ignatius Parish and decided to see what it was all about. Leon said Fr. Paul McNellis was his confessor.
Later, Leon said he discovered that Father McNellis served in Vietnam and knew much about China and Southeast Asia. The international student told the news outlet that McNellis became his teacher and mentor, which was instrumental in his decision to enter the Church.
About the Archdiocese of Boston
According to its website, the Archdiocese of Boston is the country's fourth-largest archdiocese, with 1.8 million Catholic faithful.
Card. Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap., has been the archdiocese's spiritual leader from 2003 to the present.
The archdiocese is headquartered in Boston and serves 144 communities. The archdiocese has schools offering Catholic education to over 46,000 students yearly and assists over 200,000 beneficiaries annually.
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