New Year's Reflections & Rite of Election

In a society so often intoxicated by consumerism and hedonism, wealth and extravagance, appearances and narcissism, this Child calls us to act soberly, in other words, in a way that is simple, balanced, consistent, capable of seeing and doing what is essential…. Amid a culture of indifference which not infrequently turns ruthless, our style of life should instead be devout, filled with empathy, compassion and mercy, drawn daily from the wellspring of prayer.

-Pope Francis, Midnight Mass Homily, Christmas Eve, 2015

Greetings of Peace in these winter days! As I write this, it is the day of the Iowa Caucus, and the election year has officially begun. And, as I mentioned in a previous column, the thought of experiencing the year ahead makes me feel very anxious and concerned.

I haven’t always felt this way in my life, and even at times enjoyed following the political campaigns and the presidential election process as it unfolded in our country. Our country and our political process feel very different to me today.

I don’t need or wish to dwell on the anger, vitriol, and divisiveness that are now a prominent part of our political life. They are apparent, and their effects are destroying our nation’s ability to maintain our democratic system and for us, as citizens, to live together in peace and unity.

Today is also the day on which our country honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He offers us a very different vision of our common life: “Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

I believe that this quote - taken from a sermon of Dr. King’s on “Loving Your Enemies” - captures the essence of our Christian Faith simply and eloquently. It speaks of the Way of the Cross, Jesus’ way of self-sacrificing, reconciling love - even for our “enemies.”

On the occasion of Dr. King’s birthday celebration in 2021, Pope Francis sent a letter to his daughter, Rev. Bernice King, in connection to the “Beloved Community Summit.” In the brief letter, he referenced his encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, writing: “Each one of us is called to be an artisan of peace, by uniting and not dividing, by extinguishing hatred and not holding on to it, by opening paths of dialogue” [#284].

This will be my “resolution” for this new year - to heed the wisdom of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and of Pope Francis. To be “light” and to be “love” in this “night devoid of stars” which surrounds us. To strive to live “in a way that is simple, balanced, consistent, capable of seeing and doing what is essential.” To embrace a “style of life” that is “devout, filled with empathy, compassion and mercy, drawn daily from the wellspring of prayer.”

As followers of Christ, let us strive, together, to be “artisans of peace” for our broken American society, “‘by uniting and not dividing, by extinguishing hatred and not holding on to it, by opening paths of dialogue’ … to create a community built upon justice and fraternal love.” Deo Gratias!

In today’s world, which increasingly faces the challenges of social injustice, division and conflict that hinder the realization of the common good, Dr. [Martin Luther] King’s dream of harmony and equality for all people, attained through nonviolent and peaceful means, remains ever timely. ‘Each one of us is called to be an artisan of peace, by uniting and not dividing, by extinguishing hatred and not holding on to it, by opening paths of dialogue’ (Fratelli Tutti, #284). In this way we will be able to see ourselves, not as ‘others’, but as neighbors, in the truth of our shared dignity as children of Almighty God. Only by striving daily to put this vision into practice can we work together to create a community built upon justice and fraternal love.

-Pope Francis, Message to the Beloved Community Summit, January 18, 2021

Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion

Our diocesan Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion, celebrated by Bishop Barron, will take place on Sunday, February 18 (the First Sunday of Lent), at 3:00 p.m., at Queen of Angels Parish in Austin. All members of our diocesan Church are invited to participate in this significant liturgy of our local Church of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.

This rite marks a significant moment in the spiritual formation of those people who are preparing to become members of the Church. Their journey takes place within the Church’s Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), a process which prepares and forms women and men for initiation and entrance into the Catholic Church.

As the Church’s guiding text for the RCIA states, “the rite of Christian initiation is designed for adults who, after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God and enter the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts” (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults [RCIA], #1).

This journey of formation in the life of faith unfolds in several stages and is marked by several liturgical rites. After completing an initial time of inquiry into the Faith, called the “Period of Evangelization and Pre-catechumenate,” an unbaptized person is accepted into the “Order of Catechumens” and enters the “Period of the Catechumenate.”

In this period, the faith of the catechumens, and their conversion to God, is nurtured and grows. They are “given suitable pastoral formation and guidance, aimed at training them in the Christian life” (RCIA, #75). The completion and conclusion to this period is celebrated liturgically in the Rite of Election as the Church “formally ratifies the catechumens’ readiness for the sacraments of initiation.”

For those participating in the RCIA who have already received the Sacrament of Baptism and are preparing to enter the Catholic Church (called “candidates”), the Church celebrates the “Call to Continuing Conversion.”

Celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, the rite also “marks the beginning of the period of final, more intense preparation … during which the elect [which the catechumens are now called] will be encouraged to follow Christ with greater generosity” (RCIA, #121). For the baptized candidates as well, this rite marks the beginning of their final preparation to receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist, and to enter into the full communion of the Church.

The faith community plays an important role in this rite. During the rite, the bishop asks parish members present if they support the testimonies of both the catechumens and the candidates. Not only is it important that we take the time to come to know those who are going through the RCIA process so that we can confidently answer this question, but we are also charged with an even greater task – to support them with our prayers and to accompany them as they journey closer to the Easter Sacraments.

Following the Rite of Election, the elect (formerly the catechumens) enter into the “Period of Purification and Enlightenment,” which takes place during the Lenten season and includes the celebration of the “scrutinies” on the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent. This period, which immediately precedes their reception of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, “is a time of reflection, intensely centered on conversion.”

I invite you to join our diocesan Church for this year’s celebration of the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion. And, whether you are able to be present there or not, please do pray for these sisters and brothers of ours in Christ who are preparing to become one with us in our Catholic faith community.

Todd Graff is the Director of Missionary Discipleship for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester