Elect to enter a period of intense preparation for the Sacraments
In South Johor parishes 171 catechumens coming from seven parishes, together with their godparents, sponsors and catechists, packed the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on Saturday afternoon, March 8, for the Rite of Election.
Mar 21, 2014
By Vincent D'Silva
In South Johor parishes 171 catechumens coming from seven parishes, together with their godparents, sponsors and catechists, packed the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on Saturday afternoon, March 8, for the Rite of Election.
The South Johor parishes comprise Kluang, Kulai, Kota Tinggi, Masai, Ulu Tiram, Plentong and Johor Baru.
Most of the catechumens had been sent by their parish communities in a “sending” ceremony. These adult catechumens and candidates from all the language groups had been journeying with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for the last one to two years.
Bishop Paul Tan extended a warm welcome to all the catechumens, godparents, sponsors, catechists and priests. He was moved by the enthusiasm of those present.
From here on, the Elect will be observing three Scrutinies over the Lenten period. These rites help them examine their lives for temptation and for the community to pray that they be freed from temptation and be protected as they continue towards baptism.
Susan Tay, the diocese’s RCIA Coordinator shared, “The candidates were called by God, and they have responded. We understand Election as being chosen to fulfill God’s mission, to do God’s work.”
Bishop Tan affirmed the Elect who have “responded to God’s call” and told them they have arrived at “the period of final and more intense preparations for the Sacraments of Initiation.”
“Up till now, you were known as catechumens but after today, you’ll be called Elect,” he said and encouraged them to “be grateful
that God has chosen you as his sons and daughters.”
These new elect, who “have experienced conversion of mind and heart,” said the Bishop, enter a period of “intense preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation,” which are baptism, confirmation and First Communion. He invited the elect to be mindful of this Lenten season so that together with the community of faithful, they may die to themselves to be “transformed into sons and daughters of God at Easter.”
The parish of the Immaculate Conception in Johor Baru led the list with 47 candidates while the parish of St Joseph, Plentong had 40. The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and St Louis Kluang registered 22 candidates respectively.
The service was presided by Bishop Paul Tan. He was assisted by Frs Simon Yong, SJ, and John Baptist Yoew and two permanent deacons, Offic Joseph and Leslie Petrus.
The homily was delivered by Bishop Paul Tan in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin.
He said, “You have come to be elected into the last phase of your formation in preparation for Holy Week and Easter when you will be baptized like Jesus.”
“We are delighted to receive you into the Church. This does not mean you will have no temptations from now on. Instead you will continue to be challenged with difficulties, obstacles, failures and all kinds of temptations.”
He urged the catechumens to keep praying and asking Jesus Christ for help and courage in their daily battles with the devil which they would overcome.
Temptations, he added, are not to make us fall and destroy our lives but they are opportunities to make us strong, mould us to be more beautiful and perfect human beings.
After signing all the Books, Bishop Tan declared the catechumens as “members of the Elect to be initiated into the sacred mysteries at the forthcoming Easter Vigil.” Intercessions and Prayers over the Elect were followed by a final blessing by the Bishop.
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