Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion

On Saturday, 25th February at 11:00 am, we will be gathering at the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist to celebrate the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion. Pope Francis, in his message for Lent in 2021 remarked “…every moment of our lives is a time for believing, hoping and loving. The call to experience Lent as a journey of conversion, prayer and sharing our goods, helps us – as communities and as individuals – to revive the faith that comes from the living Christ, the hope inspired by the breath of the Holy Spirit and the love following form the merciful heart of the Father.” Our spiritual life, or our relationship with God, is a life time project. Conversion, or change of heart, is part of this ongoing process. We have the sacraments to help us along this journey. The people of the Diocese of Portsmouth are invited to celebrate in prayer and fellowship another step along the journey of those seeking either Baptism or full Communion with the Church. The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion is not only ratifying the catechumens’ (those to be baptised) and candidates’ (those to be received into full communion) readiness for their participation in the sacraments, but most importantly, as a witness for all believers of the longing desire for communion with Jesus Christ and his Body, the Church, as a universal sacrament for the salvation of all the world. The Christian life is a journey of conversion, and this liturgy reminds us of this reality. In addition, the liturgical season of Lent highlights this reality. We would like to invite the faithful of the Diocese, and not just the catechumens and candidates and their sponsors, to witness this special moment, for it to be a reminder for all of us of our continuous pilgrimage to fullness of life in Jesus Christ.