Hawaii catechumens preparing for baptism on the Vigil of Easter, April 4, will be welcomed in four Rites of Election next weekend on Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island.
Also called the “elect,” the catechumens have participated for the past year in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA, or the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children, RCIC.
According to the diocesan Office of Worship, 190 people will be baptized at their parishes during the vigil this year, down 14 from the number reported last year. Twenty-two parishes, one third of the diocese, do not have catechumens this year. Another six parishes did not submit a report to the diocese.
The parish with the largest number of catechumens is St. Joseph, Waipahu, with 15.
At the rites of election, which will take place on four islands, they will sign their names in the Book of the Elect, signifying their desire to be received into the church at Easter.
Here is the schedule for the rites:
- Maui: 5 p.m., Feb. 21, St. Theresa Church, Kihei
- Big Island: 9 a.m., Feb. 22, St. Joseph Church, Hilo
- Kauai: 9:30 a.m., Feb. 22, St. Catherine Church, Kapaa
- Oahu: 2 p.m., Feb. 22, Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Honolulu
Bishop Larry Silva will preside at the Maui and Oahu events. Vicars forane on the Big Island and Kauai will preside at their respective rites.
During each rite, parish groups bring their own Book of the Elect unsigned to the celebration. The catechumens sign the book during the rite. The pastor or parish RCIA coordinator then presents the book to the bishop or vicar for his signature.
The catechumens will receive the three Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist — at the Easter Vigil.
The RCIA process also prepares those who are already baptized, but who have not been confirmed or have not received first Eucharist, to receive those sacraments, but preferably at a time other than the Easter Vigil.