The Rite of Election took place at St James’ Parish in St Andrews last night – with 42 people preparing to become Catholic.
Archbishop Cushley said: “It was such a pleasure to be here tonight to meet so many of the young people who wish to know and love the Lord better, to be welcomed into the Church, to be baptised, and to be part of our great Catholic family.
The Rite of Election is the final part of the journey to becoming a Catholic, where the Bishop formally accepts catechumens (unbaptised) and candidates (baptised) for the Easter Sacraments.
It is a public expression of the candidates’ desire to join the Catholic Church and the Church’s formal acceptance of them.
Martin, a candidate from Northumberland studying economics and management at St Andrews Unitversity, said: “I was baptised Anglican and brought up that way, but over time I became convinced that the Catholic Church is the continuation of the Church of Jesus Christ today.
“It’s had 2,000 years of Apostolic succession that has given it the authority to teach the fullness of the truth.
“St Andrews has a large Catholic community, and getting to know the other Catholic here certainly helped me on my journey.”
Up to 200 people are expected to be received into the Catholic Church in our Archdiocese this Easter at St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh and in parishes across the Archdiocese.
All photos with kind permission from Sarah McGonigle (https://honey-and-hue.com/)
