Posted on 03/01/2005 8:44:41 AM PST by siunevada
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- During this year's Easter Vigil Masses, tens of thousands of people across the country will be welcomed into the Catholic Church.
Last year more than 150,000 Americans were baptized as Catholics or joined in full communion with the church during the Easter Vigil.
Those who are not yet baptized are called catechumens. At Easter they receive all three sacraments of Christian initiation -- baptism, confirmation and their first Eucharist. Those already baptized in other churches or who were baptized Catholic but not raised in the faith are called candidates. At Easter they receive confirmation and the Eucharist.
During the first two weeks of Lent, catechumens and candidates across the country gathered -- most often in special diocesan ceremonies led by a bishop -- to participate in a Rite of Election, for catechumens, or a Call to Continuing Conversion, for candidates.
Those who choose to go through the RCIA program are men and women, young and old.
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At Rite of Election services in Kansas City-St. Joseph, candidates and catechumens were urged to see the importance of their former religious traditions in forming foundations of faith.
Coadjutor Bishop Robert W. Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph urged them to recognize that the faith they received in Christian baptism "is not being diminished or discarded in any way by your entering the Catholic Church," but would "only be deepened."
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicnews.com ...
Do you think that Jesus made people to jump through the hoops to know Him? It's the biggest invitation someone will ever get and all that it requires is an answer from the heart.
Last year we processed into a darkened church with candles after the blessing outside. In years past we sat in the darkened church and passed the flame from candle to candle.
Post anything you like about the Catholic Church. Trust ultima for a slam. Other Protestants are not so reliable.
Rash judgment is a sin. Back off.
"He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me" (St. Luke x.16).
In my experience, people know Jesus before they become Catholic.
It's not up to you or I to judge anyone's sanctity. There's one Judge and He'll have His say soon enough.
What's your gripe? I said it was a matter of counting heads. How is that judging anybody?
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