By Jennifer Rector
Hawaii Catholic Herald
The Diocese of Honolulu saw another uptick in catechumens this year, continuing a positive trend since the numbers plummeted in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At Easter Vigil liturgies across the state on April 19, 284 catechumens will receive the sacraments of initiation — baptism, first holy Communion and confirmation.
That is 43 more catechumens than last year, and 62 more than in 2023.
There is a three-way tie for the parish with the most reported catechumens. Mary, Star of the Sea Church and its Chinese Catholic Community in Honolulu have 14 catechumens, along with St. Ann Church in Kaneohe and St. Joseph Church in Waipahu.
Out of Hawaii’s 72 parishes, ethnic communities, oratories and military chapels, 19 reported no catechumens or did not submit a report.
The next step for these catechumens is to make public their intention to enter the Catholic Church. They will participate in rites of election — signing their names in the Book of the Elect — that will be held for each vicariate during the first weekend of Lent, March 8-9.
The rites of election will be celebrated at the following times and locations:
- East Hawaii Vicariate: March 8, 1 p.m., St. Joseph Church, Hilo; Liturgy of the Word with vicar forane Father John Molina.
- West Hawaii Vicariate: March 8, 4 p.m., St. Michael the Archangel Church, Kailua-Kona; Mass with vicar forane Father Konelio “Lio” Faletoi.
- Kauai Vicariate: March 8, 5 p.m., Immaculate Conception Church, Lihue; Mass with vicar forane La Salette Father Edison Pamintuan.
- Maui Vicariate: March 8, 5 p.m., St. Anthony Church, Wailuku; Mass with Bishop Larry Silva.
- Oahu vicariates: March 9, 1 p.m., Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Honolulu; Liturgy of the Word with Bishop Silva.
For the parishes on the islands of Lanai and Molokai, Bishop Silva has delegated each pastor to preside over the rite of election in his own parish on the weekend of the first Sunday of Lent.
