Rite of Election

The Rite of Election (for Catechumens) and Call to Continuing Conversion (for Candidates) will be held at two locations on the First Sunday of Lent: March 9, 2025.

Bishop Walsh will preside at the Rites at St. Mary of the Visitation in Ottumwa and Father Thom Hennen, our Vicar General, will preside at the Cathedral. 

Both rites will be celebrated within Mass, begin at 2pm, and be followed by a reception. 

While required for Catechumens, Candidates for Full Communion may still celebrate the Call to Continued Conversion in their parishes instead, if that is the community's practice.

Please complete the registration form below no later than February 15, so we can make final arrangements for our gathering in a timely manner.

If a parish is unable to make it due to weather, or if we need to cancel, pastors may celebrate the Rite in their parishes.

We want to thank all those who took part in the survey regarding recent celebration of these rites; that helped us in our planning for this year. 

RESOURCES:
>Instruction/Information Letter
 

Questions? Please contact Deacon Frank Agnoli at [email protected] or at 563-349-2577.

Q. Who should attend?

A: Catechumens and their godparent; Candidates and their sponsor; family members; parish OCIA ministers. 

Q: Should catechumens (and candidates) who are children attend?

A: As you know, there is no such thing as “OCIC.” Anyone older than the age of reason (around 7) is consider an adult as far as the OCIA is concerned; those under 7 are considered children (infants), are not part of the OCIA, and are simply baptized.

There is, however, the OCIA adapted for children of catechetical age (typically 7-14). See OCIA #252ff. For that age group, participation in these rites is optional. 

The question is: would the child benefit from the liturgy and from the day we are planning? In other words, it really isn’t a question of ease or convenience – or even preference – but a question of discernment. What will help this child on their faith journey?

Q. Must candidates (those already baptized) for full communion attend?

A. No. Only the Rite of Election (for Catechumens) is required. Those already baptized and coming into full communion with the Catholic Church may celebrate the Call to Continuing Conversion in their parishes. That being said, Bishop Walsh would like encourage everyone to attend the diocesan rites so both our candidates and catechumens can experience their connection to the wider Church.