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Calling it a "cause for great joy," Bishop Richard F. Reidy welcomed 250 people on the road to becoming Catholic or completing their initiation during the Diocese of Norwich's annual Rite of Election. 

The Rite of Election on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick was a watershed in several ways for the Diocese of Norwich.

This year, the diocese welcomed 98 catechumens, along with 152 candidates, making for the highest combined total for the Diocese of Norwich in 10 years.  This is another step toward their journey of being baptized and received into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil Mass.

The Rite of Election was also the first to be celebrated by the new bishop since his ordination last spring. 

"By accepting new members to the Church, we carry out the command of the Lord to proclaim the good news to all creation," the bishop said in his opening remarks. "I rejoice with you, our catechumens and candidates."

In his homily, the bishop also told them he knows how they must feel - that just 10 months ago, he became a member of the Church of Norwich at his ordination.

"I am thrilled to be here, and I am thrilled that you are here," he said. 

The catechumens stood with their sponsors in the Cathedral of Saint Patrick. In an act of recognition and admission, the bishop welcomed them to become members of the elect and be initiated into the sacred mysteries at the Easter Vigil.

One such catechumen on the path is McKaylah Kulas, 27, from Blessed Sacrament parish of Tolland. After the ceremony, she was all smiles and hugged her sponsor, Tommy Sandamena. 

McKaylah's story of coming to the Catholic Church is extraordinary. Two Christmases ago, her father gave her a cross as a gift, at a time she had been struggling with her faith. On her way home from Vermont, she asked God for a sign.

"I hit a patch of black ice and flew off the road into a pond, between a big, scary tree and a big, scary guardrail," she said. "And I was like, 'Well, that's a loud sign.' I was in church the next week and it's been that way ever since."

The rite was "very much exciting. I've never been to Saint Patrick. It's a beautiful cathedral," she said. 

"The Rite of Election, celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, is one of the most moving moments in the Church’s year," diocese Evangelization and Discipleship Ministry Director Andrea Hoisl said.

"Those gathered affirm their intention to join the Church and become full members of the Church," she said. "Thank you for being here to support the newest members of our Church on their spiritual journey."

During this liturgy, catechumens and candidates from across the Diocese gather with the Bishop, their pastors, godparents, and sponsors. Together, we witness their public affirmation of faith and their desire to walk fully with Christ and His Church.

Catechumens are formally “elected” by the Church. In the presence of the Bishop, they inscribe their names in the Book of the Elect as a sign of their commitment and the Church’s call. From that moment, they are known as “the Elect” and enter the Period of Purification and Enlightenment, an intense time of spiritual preparation that culminates in receiving the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.

The rite is a significant step in the journey of catechumens — those who have not yet been baptized into the Catholic Church — toward full initiation, and marks their formal enrollment in the Book of the Elect, bringing them one step closer to the Easter sacraments. 

Candidates who have already been baptized in another Christian tradition are also recognized by the Bishop and called to continuing conversion. They prepare to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church, at which time they will make a profession of faith, receive Confirmation, and share in the Eucharist.

"It is such a joy to be able to participate in this beautiful rite," catechumen Therese reflected. "Watching catechumens in awe of our cathedral was very humbling. Our bishop spoke directly to our hearts and touched so many of us deeply. The promise of the future of our Faith felt so very alive in the sheer number of catechumens and candidates. Seeing and hearing young children and babies was awesome."