Rite of Election Registration
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The 2024 Rite of Election will be celebrated on Saturday, February 17 at St. Margaret Mary Parish, Cedar Park beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Registration deadline is February 12.
Click Here
for Registration Click Here
for General Information Click Here
for Optional Rites
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Online Registration Closed
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Important Info
- The Rite of Election has been moved to a Saturday and to a large venue to accommodate the size of the expected audience. If your parish plans to celebrate the OPTIONAL Rite of Sending or have some reflection it should occur prior to this event.
- Registration | Please note that registration will only be online via our website.
- When registered correctly you will receive an automated response email confirmation. If you DO NOT receive an automated response email confirmation within 24 hours please check your spam mail. If you still do not have confirmation, please contact us immediately as it is likely something was done incorrectly.
- Arrival | Directors/Catechists please arrive by 9:15 a.m. to pick up parish packets with instructions, seating assignments, and name tags. There will be a mandatory leader meeting and a quick walk-thru of the Rite at 9:30 a.m.
- Catechumens/Sponsors arrive between 9:30 - 10 a.m.
- Catechumens should find their assigned parish seats.
- Catechumens will receive a name badge from their leader. Place name tag on RIGHT side of chest.
- Instructions for the participants will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m.
- Catechumens/Sponsors arrive between 9:30 - 10 a.m.
- Reserved Seating:
- The reserved seating is for catechumens, one godparent/proxy, and one parish leader ONLY.
- Pews will have the parish name on them.
- Seating for non-participants (families, spouses, etc) is VERY limited this year.
- Presentation of the Catechumens:
- After the homily, the leader from each parish will join the line by the ambo and one by one present their parish’s catechumens by name.
- The catechumens and sponsor should ideally be seated in the order listed in the book and will stand in place as thier name is called. They will give a slight bow to Bishop Vasquez after all names have been called.
- After calling the names the leader will move to the end of the leader line to later bring the book forward for signature.
- All of the above will be covered at the 9:30 a.m. meeting.
- Attire:
- Catechumens AND sponsors should dress appropriately befitting the solemnity of the Rite of Election.
- No spaghetti straps, bare shoulders, ragged jeans, shorts, t-shirts, tennis shoes or flip flops.
- Parking | Carpooling is highly recommended.
- Reception | There will be no reception.
- Photographs | No photography. There will not be an opportunity for individual photos with Bishop Vasquez.
- Each parish will have one group photo with Bishop Vasquez taken by a diocesan photographer. These photos will be available on the diocesan website.
- At the end of the liturgy, anyone who is NOT a parish leader or catechumen (family, spouse, sponsor, etc) will be asked to kindly exit the church to facilitate faster group photos.
~ Please plan your time accordingly so as to arrive on time. ~
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Book of the Elect
The Book of the Elect in which the names of the catechumens were inscribed must brought to the Rite of Election and will be used in the diocesan celebration. The name of each catechumen will be called from the Book of the Elect and presented to the bishop for his signature.
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General Information
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This Rite is for all catechumens (non-baptized persons aged 7 and up) who are preparing for initiation at the coming Easter Vigil through Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion. All Catechumens are expected to attend the rite unless prevented for good reason; however, it is optional for younger children (ages 7 to 11).
Who should attend the rite?
- CATECHUMENS (age 11+) – Definitely | The Rite of Election is a significant moment for the catechumens, who are expected to participate.
- CATECHUMENS (age 10 and younger) – Optional | Children Catechumens are welcome. Please use pastoral discretion here. The children are not required to attend the ceremony with the adults if it will be more than the child can handle (RCIA 277)
- GODPARENT | Because of limited seating, only one godparent may accompany each Catechumen. If the godparent cannot attend the rite, someone else will stand in as a proxy who meets the Church’s requirements.
- MARRIAGE AND THE RITE OF ELECTION | Per the norms of the Diocese of Austin, a catechumen cannot enter the Rite of Election while in an irregular marriage. If there are questions regarding the marital status of a catechumen, you must contact your pastor and he will begin the necessary steps to address them.
- DISCERNMENT | Discernment is an essential aspect of the RCIA process. A form is available for download at austindiocese.org/rite-of-election to assist with discernment before the rite.
Optional Rite of Sending
Before the Rite of Election of Catechumens, your parish might have celebrated the Sending of the Catechumens for Election (see RCIA 106ff). The Book of the Elect in which the catechumens' names were inscribed is brought to the Rite of Election and will be used in the diocesan celebration. Please do not forget the Book of the Elect from your parish. The name of each catechumen will be called from the Book of the Elect and presented to the bishop. After all the catechumens are presented, the bishop will sign each book. Register your group using the form below.
Find more information on the RCIA process here.
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