SEEING each person who was soon to be received into the Church at Easter, hearing their name called out and getting words of support from their friends and family – that was what organisers loved about the Rite of Election.

This year marked the biggest number of catechumens up for election at 128 – catechumens are people who will be baptised at Easter. 

There were also 70 candidates, people who were baptised in other Christian traditions and would be confirmed Catholics at Easter. 

Evangelisation Brisbane adult formation officer Arnaud Hurdoyal said it was a beautiful moment to see people take the next step on their faith journey.

“The day was beautiful,” he said.

 “There’s a lot of life, vitality and excitement.”

“It’s also the culmination of a lot of hard work.”

EB’s Rite of Christian Initiation officer Lisa McKerr said the process towards Easter was all about coming to a personal relationship with Jesus.

She said it was about inviting people into a “life-changing experience”.

Parishes, she said, had been doing a great job responding positively to people wanting to “learn more about who Jesus is”.

She said RCIA was “one of the most beautiful ministries”. 

“It’s amazing the impact that this has on the people who are journeying with the catechumens and candidates as well.

“It’s such a big thing.”

Mr Hurdoyal said the Rite of Election was not a well-understood part of the Christian journey.

He said many Catholics had never even heard of it.

“I’d love for more Catholics to know about this and the fact that it happens – that this is such a major step in receiving people into the Church,” he said.

The Rite of Election has roots in traditions held since the early centuries of the Church but has existed in its current form since the promulgation of the RCIA in 1972.

Mrs McKerr said the Rite of Election was one of two annual liturgical celebrations for the whole archdiocese – the other being Chrism Mass.

“It’s open for the whole archdiocese,” she said.

If you would like to find out more about becoming Catholic, head to: evangelisationbrisbane.org.au/adultformation/rcia/