Hawaii parishes have reported the names of 204 catechumens to be baptized at Easter Vigil ceremonies April 19 across the diocese. The actual number may be slightly more because eight parishes had not yet submitted their lists to the diocesan Office of Worship by Feb. 21.
Hawaii has 66 parishes, of which 18 are reporting no Easter Vigil baptisms this year.
In anticipation of their baptisms, the catechumens, also called the “elect,” will be welcomed in four Rites of Election next week on Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island.
At each rite, those who have been preparing for baptism over the past year through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA, or the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children, RCIC, will sign their names in the Book of the Elect, signifying their desire to be received into the church at Easter.
Here is the Rite of Election schedule:
- Kauai: March 9, 9:30 a.m., Immaculate Conception, Lihue
- Maui: March 9, 2 p.m., St. Theresa Church, Kihei
- Big Island: March 9, 2 p.m. at Annunciation Church, Waimea
- Oahu: March 9, 2 p.m. Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Honolulu
Bishop Silva will preside at the Oahu rite.
Leeward Oahu parishes are leading the number of catechumens this year. St. Joseph Church in Waipahu leads with 16, followed by St. Jude in Kapolei with 15.
Overall, not taking likely adjustments into account, the number of elect this year is one more than last year’s total of 203.
In addition to the catechumens, others will be welcomed into “full communion” with the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil. These are people who are already baptized and who will receive one or both of the remaining sacraments of initiation — Confirmation or First Eucharist.
The diocese has not compiled the number of those receiving full communion this year.
Number of Hawaii catechumens over the past decade
- 2005…………. 195
- 2006…………. 188
- 2007…………. 157
- 2008…………. 185
- 2009…………. 193
- 2010…………. 219
- 2011…………. 208
- 2012…………. 190
- 2013…………. 203
- 2014…………. 204
