March 7, 2025 - Rite of Election for 450 catechumens, Sunday, March 9th

Cathedral of the Holy Cross Sunday, March 9, at 2:00pm. 

450 catechumens, who will be baptized and enter the Catholic Church at parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Boston, will participate in the Rite of Election at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Sunday, March 9, at 2:00pm. They will be joined by their godparents, sponsors, catechists (teachers), and families. Bishop Mark O’Connell, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, will preside at the ceremony. 

This year’s 450 catechumens are approximately 100 more than last year and more than we have had for the Rite of Election since at least 2019.

The ceremony involves a Liturgy of the Word – readings from the Old Testament and the Gospel – as well as a homily, the reading of the names of the catechumens, the presentation of a list of their names to the bishop, affirmation that they have prepared to enter the Church from their godparents and sponsors, and prayers for them as they continue their journey of faith. To view a copy of the liturgy as it will happen, please click here.

The Rite of Election marks the end of a long period of formation of heart and mind and the beginning of a more intense period of final spiritual preparation to participate in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. 

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults says that “in this step the Church makes her ‘Election,’ or the choice and admission of catechumens, who by their dispositions are fit to take part in the next celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation. It is called ‘Election’ because the admission made by the Church is founded on election by God, in whose name the Church acts; it is also called ‘Enrollment of Names’ because the catechumens write their names in the Book of the Elect as a pledge of their faithfulness” (OCIA 119). Through the celebration of this rite, bishops, priests, deacons, catechists, godparents, and the entire local community of the faithful embrace the elect with prayer “so that the whole Church takes them with her to meet Christ” (OCIA 121).

To view a copy of the program for Sunday, please click here. takes them with her to meet Christ” (OCIA 121).

To view a copy of the program for Sunday, please click here.