Eighty-five new Catholics in Melaka & Muar

A total of 85 candidates from the districts of Melaka and Muar jointly journeyed through the Rite of Election ceremony hosted by St Mary’s parish on February 2, the Second Sunday in Lent.

Mar 12, 2015

By Percy D’Cruz
A total of 85 candidates from the districts of Melaka and Muar jointly journeyed through the Rite of Election ceremony hosted by St Mary’s parish on February 2, the Second Sunday in Lent.

The Gajah Berang parish of St Theresa led the list with 21 candidates while the parishes of St Peter, St Francis Xavier, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Corpus Christi Chapel and St Andrew accounted for 64.

The afternoon liturgical celebration, in four languages, was presided over by Msgr James Rajendran, and assisted by brothers, Frs Cyril and Michael Mannayagam, and St Mary’s parish priest, Paul Wong.

Msgr James, in his opening address noted, that the catechumens had gathered to publicly acknowledge to be elected, and would return to their respective parishes to receive the Sacraments of Initiation during next month’s Easter Vigil.

“Candidates, you are the ones who have been touched. You have made the right choice to accept Jesus Christ and to follow Him. You have been gifted with the faith and want to show that faith in Baptism. As seekers of God’s help and grace, you have become His children and now enter the family of God,” he remarked.

The Rite of Election marks the beginning of the final preparations for baptism under the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The lenten season is a period of purification and enlightenment, a period of intense preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.

Frs Paul, Michael and Cyril, in their homilies, called on catechumens to open their hearts to God’s Word saying, “Through it, you may come to know more fully what a gift and privilege it is to be elected and to be His chosen people.

They also called on all the catechumens to be strengthened in their resolve to be ever faithful to the responsibility their election brought to them. They were also assured of the Almighty’s presence and protection in all their undertakings in the name of Jesus.

Msgr James called on the catechumens to be steadfastly committed to the faith. This meant that they had made a choice for Jesus Christ by committing to be his disciples. He encouraged them to live their new faith and play devoted roles within their respective parish communities and Church.

“Jesus will be our companion during our journey of life. Jesus clarifies our goals in life and shows us how to persevere to live out our lives. Yet, He forgives us when we fail but helps and accompanies us through the Sacraments we celebrate as a church community,” added Msgr James.

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