Archdiocese of Newark Prepares to Initiate Hundreds to Faith

This Easter, more than 400 catechumens and 700 candidates will officially take their place as members of the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Newark. 

The Most Reverend John J. Myers, Archbishop of Newark, celebrated the Rite of Election for over 400 catechumens on Sunday, February 25 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark.    He also presided over the celebration of the Call to Continuing Conversion for 700 candidates on Saturday, February 24 at the Cathedral Basilica.

Catechumens are those who are not baptized but who wish to become members of the Roman Catholic Church.  Candidates are those who have been baptized in the Catholic Church but who had not yet completed their initiation through the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist, or who were baptized in other Christian churches but are now looking to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church. 

During the Rite of Election, each catechumen was called by name, questioned by the Archbishop, and invited to sign the Book of the Elect.   This act, witnessed by the entire Cathedral Basilica community, signified the individual’s formal commitment to prepare for full initiation into the Church.   

At the Call to Continuing Conversion, the Archbishop encouraged each candidate to deepen his or her baptismal faith during the season of Lent. 

Catechumens will be initiated into the Catholic Church though the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil in their individual parishes on Saturday night, April 7. 

Catholic candidates will receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist, and Christian candidates will be welcomed into the Catholic Church, on the Sundays following Easter.