April 3, 2025

The Catholic Diocese of Richmond will welcome approximately 650 people into the Church this year at Easter Vigil Masses in parishes throughout the diocese. During the first weekend of Lent, March 8-9, Bishop Barry Knestout welcomed approximately 650 people, now called the Elect, at the Rite of Election liturgies celebrated in the diocese. The Elect will receive the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil Mass on April 19, 2025.

Three liturgies were held the first weekend of Lent and took place in the Central, Eastern, and Western Vicariates. Each liturgy was well attended by catechumens, godparents/sponsors, and parishioners to support the Elect in their journey towards full initiation in the Catholic Church.

First called catechumens, most of the Elect began their journey in the fall through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA), learning about the Catholic faith and deepening their relationship with Jesus.

At the Easter Vigil Mass, the Elect will receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist and are anointed with the Sacred Chrism, which is consecrated earlier in Holy Week at the Chrism Mass. After receiving their sacraments, the Elect are then fully received into the Catholic Church.

Rite of Election

The Rite of Election is celebrated each year, typically during the first weekend of Lent. During the liturgy, the Church welcomes those who have expressed interest in joining the Catholic Church. At the liturgy, the catechumens, those seeking the sacraments of initiation, gather with their godparents/sponsors and families to publicly express a desire to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church. Their names are recorded in a book signed by the bishop, and they are then referred to as the Elect.

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