Say hello to just just some of the many men, women and children from across the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh who will become Catholic at Easter.
Yesterday saw them gather at St Mary’s Metropolitan Cathedral in Edinburgh for the Rite of Election, a key final staging post in Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
Present were both the non-baptised, known as “catechumens”, and also those who are baptised but are not yet in full-communion with the Catholic Church, known as “candidates”.
During his homily, Archbishop Cushley told them that the reason for the Church’s prayer and penance during the 40 days of Lent was to joyfully accompany them on their journey towards Easter.
“We put God back at the centre of our lives as we seek to inspire those here, from all over the Archdiocese, as they themselves embark upon these 40 days,” he said, 10 March.
“And we hope that they spend those 40 days growing in their faith – while being tempted, of course – but also, of course, growing in God’s grace and in their closeness to Jesus the master.”
The Administrator of the Cathedral, Monsignor Patrick Burke VG, then called out each person’s name as they stood with their sponsor before the Archbishop Cushley.
Please do keep each of the candidates and catechumens in your prayers during this season of Lent. Our Lady, Mother of the Church, pray for them.
* Photograph courtesy of Nicola McDonagh