By Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
On March 30, at Easter Vigil liturgies in churches across the islands, 241 catechumens will be baptized, a 10% increase from the year before.
The catechumens, also called the elect, will make public their intention to receive the three sacraments of initiation — Baptism, Confirmation and first Eucharist — signing their names in the Book of the Elect in Rites of Election during the first weekend in Lent, Feb. 17-18.
This year’s number is 23 more than last year’s total of 222, and nearly 100 more than 2021 when the COVID-19 pandemic was most affecting church attendance. With the exception of pandemic years, the diocese counted approximately 200 catechumens a year over the past decade.
This year, the parish with the most catechumens is St. Patrick, Kaimuki, with 16. Next is St. Anthony in Kailua with 12.
Of Hawaii’s 72 parishes, ethnic communities, oratories and military chapels, 23 reported no catechumens or did not submit a report.
The Rites of Election will be celebrated at the following times and locations:
Kauai Vicariate: Saturday, Feb. 17, at 5 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, Lihue. Bishop Larry Silva will celebrate Mass.
Maui Vicariate: Sunday, Feb. 18, at 1 p.m. at St. Anthony Church in Wailuku. Liturgy of the Word with vicar forane Msgr. Terrence Watanabe.
East Hawaii Vicariate: Saturday, Feb. 17, at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church in Hilo. Liturgy of the Word with vicar forane Father John Molina.
West Hawaii Vicariate: Saturday, Feb. 17, at 4 p.m. at St. Michael Church in Kailua-Kona. Mass with vicar forane Father Konelio Faletoi.
Oahu Vicariates: Sunday, Feb. 18, at 1 p.m. at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Honolulu. Liturgy of the Word with Bishop Larry Silva.
For parishes on Lanai and Molokai, Bishop Silva has delegated the pastor or parochial vicar to preside over the Rite of Election in his own parish on the weekend of the First Sunday of Lent.
The Rite of Election does not include those who will be received into “full communion” in the Catholic Church. These are not catechumens, but persons who are already baptized and are preparing to receive the one or two remaining sacraments of initiation. Hawaii parishes have reported approximately 125 to be received into full communion.
