Rite of Election
All parishioners are invited to attend the Rite of Election on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich. The liturgy will be celebrated by The Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy, Bishop of Norwich. Your presence is a powerful sign of welcome and encouragement for those preparing to enter or be received into full communion with the Catholic Church.
The Rite of Election, celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, is one of the most moving moments in the Church’s year. 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—those who have not yet been baptized—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.
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.
The Rite of Election is not only about those preparing to enter the Church. It is a reminder to all of us of our own baptismal promises and our ongoing call to conversion. Come and stand with these new members of our diocesan family. Your prayerful presence strengthens them and reflects the unity of the Church.