Elect: Jesus has called and chosen you

Mar 21, 2014

IPOH (Herald Malaysia): The Rite of Election Mass for 263 catechumens from the three Deaneries of the Diocese of Penang was celebrated by the Bishop of Penang, Rt Rev Bishop Sebastian Francis during the weekend of Mar 8 and 9 which was also the First Sunday of Lent.

At the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes (OLOL) there were 171 catechumens. St Anne’s Church in Bukit Mertajam on Mar 8 welcomed 79 catechumens and at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Penang on Mar 9 there were 63 catechumens.

At the Church of St Anne, Bishop Sebastian Francis told the catechumens, “You are now to be known as members of the Elect (orang yang terpilih). It is not you who called Jesus. It is Jesus who calls you, and chooses you. Easter Night will be meaningless without you. The focus during Lent is not only on fast and abstinence, but also on preparing for resurrection. I want to thank you because you have chosen to follow Christ. From today, the Holy Spirit will prepare you for Holy Saturday. Thank you for mencari Yesus dengan hati terbuka.”

At the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bishop Sebastian stressed the importance of adult baptism. He said the freedom of choice was fully exercised through the process. The Bishop himself will be the one who baptises the Elect during Easter but because of constraints he will delegate the parish priests.

He thanked the catechumens for choosing to exercise their freedom. “Without you Easter will be boring. Thank you for making Easter special. You will also receive strength from the Holy Spirit for your mission and you will enter into the mystery of the Church.”

The Bishop also warned the catechumens that they, like Jesus, will be tempted to the very end. He remarked that all are vulnerable to temptation. The good news is that one can choose to come back. “Mission is still divine. Go and tell the story of Jesus to whoever is willing to listen.”

At the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Bishop Sebastian told the elect that Jesus is seeking them out, choosing them to be sent forth on mission with the Holy Spirit.

“Without the Holy Spirit there is no proclamation of the gospel,” he said.

He said the rite of election provided him with an opportunity to pray for the elect, to look into their hearts and meet them in person.

On their baptism, he said, he would be with them in spirit.

He thanked the elect for entering the Catholic Church, for they will bring new life and energy into the church.

“You remind us that the proclamation of the gospel is vital for the existence of the Catholic Church, and you remind us that the world and Malaysia need Jesus,” he said.

Speaking in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Tamil, Bishop Sebastian said we are merely God’s instruments, and the harvest is plentiful, so all have to be prepared.

He thanked those who had planted the seed of God’s love in the hearts of the elect, those who journeyed with them, and the facilitators who instructed them.

“I thank God for prayers answered, because there are now 100 seminarians in Kuching, Penang, Singapore and Sabah.

“We should all be happy to spread the gospel of joy, to others,” he said.

Bishop Sebastian added that although the elect are sure to face temptations in future, they should not be afraid, but instead turn to Jesus, who will give them strength.

“If you fail, there is room for healing. Be humble and responsible for your failures.

“Most of all, rely on the companionship of the Holy Spirit who will journey with you,” he said.

After the creed, the Rite of Election began, with the presentation of the catechumens.

The assent from facilitators and sponsors, as well as the church community was given. After that the facilitators from each parish presented the Book of the Elect to their respective parish priest, who then handed it to the bishop.

The Books were then incensed, blessed, and signed by the Bishop in the presence of the priests and congregation.

After communion, Bishop Sebastian said a prayer for the elect. He then presented them with souvenirs presented by the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes. Its parish priest, Fr Francis Andrew, thanked Bishop Sebastian for presiding over the Mass and he also thanked all those present.

After Mass there was a dinner for all.