At the St. Agnes altar, Bishop George J. Lucas signs a Book of the Elect during the Rite of Election on Sunday, March 1.

The weather outside the first weekend of Lent was predictably cold and windy; however the catechumens and candidates attending the Rite of Election of Catechumens and of the Call to Continuing Conversion of Baptized Candidates received a warm welcome in Springfield on Feb. 28 and March 1.

Altogether 375 catechumens and candidates, hailing from 74 places in the Springfield diocese (both parishes and universities) came to the see city, along with their sponsors, godparents, priests, family and friends. The Rite of Election liturgy usually takes place at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, however it was hosted this year by St. Agnes Parish since the Cathedral is closed for renewal and restoration.

Participants included catechumens (unbaptized), Christian candidates for full communion, and Catholic candidates for confirmation and Eucharist.

Because so many individuals participate, the Feb. 28 liturgy was held at 7 p.m. for people who live close to Springfield, while the March 1 liturgy was held at 2:30 p.m. for those who had to travel some distance to attend.

On Sunday afternoon, Bishop George J. Lucas welcomed those people who had come by car and bus from throughout the diocese to take part in the Rite of Election. "Your presence and journey is a source of joy and life to all of us. We are exiled from the Cathedral temporarily, but we are very much at home here with Christ in the church," said Bishop Lucas, thanking Father Robert Jallas for the hospitality offered by St. Agnes Parish.

RCIA coordinator Richard Koerper from Holy Family Parish in Granite City carries the Book of the Elect from his parish up to the sanctuary. The books were taken back to the parish churches where they remain until the Easter Vigil. The Rite of Election was held this year at St. Agnes Parish in Springfield because the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is closed for restoration and renewal.

In his homily Bishop Lucas spoke about the 8,000 diocesan Catholics who are currently taking part in the Why Catholic? small groups all around the diocese. "I am Catholic and you will be Catholic because Jesus Christ is calling you into the community of the Catholic Church," he said, noting the Lord calls Catholics through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist.

After this year's Easter Vigil has come and gone, new Catholics will be called to grow even more in their faith, Bishop Lucas said. Much of that growth will come from the sacraments and, of course, from prayer. "Don't look at these sacraments in the rear view mirror ... and never turn away from the sacraments," he said.

During the liturgy, in which the assembly participated, Bishop Lucas ratified the enrollment of the names of catechumens in the parishes' Book of the Elect. From now until they are baptized, these individuals will be referred to as "the elect." Bishop Lucas then recognized the candidates who will complete their Christian initiation.

Following the Election and Call to Conversion, nothing stands in the way of these people becoming Catholic. For them, Lent is a period of purification and enlightenment, when they and their parish communities focus on conversion and reflect on their decision to join the church.

Although these people gathered in Springfield for this liturgy, the elect and candidates will become full members of the church through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist at their own parish Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 11.