Florida Catholic | The Journey To Conversion

The journey to conversion

Hundreds preparing to fully join the Catholic Church at Easter participate in Feb. 10 rite of election.

JOE DIAZ | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 02.22.08

Bishop Frank J. Dewane congratulates catechumen Grant Chue of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples during the rite of election and call to continuing conversion at Epiphany Cathedral Parish in Venice Feb. 10.

JOE DIAZ | FC
Bishop Frank J. Dewane congratulates catechumen Grant Chue of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples during the rite of election and call to continuing conversion at Epiphany Cathedral Parish in Venice Feb. 10.

VENICE | Banners bearing images of doves, the waters of baptism and the Eucharist were brought into Epiphany Cathedral Parish here Feb 10 during the annual rite of election of catechumens and call to continuing conversion of candidates.

The rite of election is the church’s formal recognition of catechumens, who will soon receive the sacraments of initiation: baptism, Communion and confirmation.

Claudia Virbes of San Pedro Parish in North Port was one of 313 people who participated in the ceremony, one of the final steps in the journey of becoming a Catholic. The group, representing 38 parishes, will be received into the church during the Easter Vigil.

Virbes has been traveling on the road back to her faith for more than two years, and is excited about receiving the Eucharist and being confirmed at Easter. Pregnant with a baby boy, she hopes her child will “carry forward the faith and teach his children the Catholic faith, as well.”

“The elect” is another term for “God’s chosen people.” In the Old Testament, God chose the Israelites and established a covenant with them. The church teaches that God continues to choose people today through the new covenant in Jesus Christ.

During the rite, the name of each catechumen was called and written in the Book of the Elect, which was then displayed to all present and given to Bishop Frank J. Dewane.

Candidates — those who were already baptized and will receive first Eucharist and confirmation at the Easter Vigil — were recognized and affirmed by their sponsors as ready to receive the sacraments during the call to continuing conversion. As a reminder of their baptism, the candidates were asked to bless themselves with holy water near the altar.

Bishop Dewane encouraged the catechumens and candidates to always look toward Jesus Christ, even in difficult times. He also spoke of the conversion of hearts, especially during the season of Lent, and called upon all in attendance to go forth on their own journey to conversion.

After the rite, candidates and catechumens are called “the elect.” Many said they were moved by the bishop’s homily and that an act as simple as blessing themselves with holy water made them eager to reach their goal of becoming Catholic.

Phil Yonge was attending St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples on and off with his wife, who is his sponsor, when he decided to listen to what his daughter said.

“I was tired of my daughter Kaitlin asking me when I was going to be part of the Mass,” Yonge joked. Kaitlin will receive her first Communion near the same time her father will enter fully into the church.

Tracy Conn from St. Martha Parish in Sarasota said her best friend inspired her to join the Catholic faith. Conn’s husband, Jason, was baptized Catholic, but was not interested in the church as he grew up, she said.

“I definitely believe it was the light of Jesus that has moved me to do this and, in turn, get my husband back into the church,” Conn said.

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