Ten catechumens and eighteen candidates for full sacramental initiation, together with their godparents and sponsors, family members, parish RCIA teams, and people from parishes throughout the diocese, joined with Bishop Cunningham and eleven concelebrating priests to celebrate the Rite of Election in St. Margaret’s Cathedral, Ayr, on Sunday 21st February. These adults are the ones who are preparing to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil this year, and came from twelve different parishes in the diocese. During the Mass, Bishop Cunningham questioned them as to their commitment, and after responses from them, and affirmation by their godparents and sponsors, he elected them as suitable candidates for initiation. Each candidate then signed the Book of the Elect, and after individually meeting the bishop, they were dismissed into the hall to break open the Word of God, as the rest of the Assembly carried on with the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Elect are now to use the six weeks of lent to truly prepare worthily for the Sacraments of Initiation, and so arrive at the Easter Vigil suitably prepared for the sacramental celebrations in which they will participate.

 

William McFadden