Rite of Election at St Chad's Cathedral

Candidates and catechumens from across the Archdiocese gathered at St Chad's Cathedral to make a significant step towards their reception into the Catholic Church.

The Rite of Election service was held on the First Sunday of Lent (Sunday 1 March) and celebrated by Archbishop Bernard Longley.

39 parishes were represented at the Mass and around 130 candidates and catechumens present.

This special Mass marked the beginning of the final period of preparation for the reception of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist. Candidates are now encouraged to follow our Lord Jesus Christ with great generosity.

As a pledge of their fidelity and sign of their conversion of mind and heart, the candidates allowed their names to be inscribed in the book of those chosen and they publicly expressed their resolve and faith.

The Rite of Election process took place after the Homily and saw the catechumens, candidates and sponsors meet the Archbishop and Bishop David McGough.

Read Archbishop Bernard's Homily

Photo Gallery by Con McHugh

Candidates and Catechumens represented the following parishes:

St Chad’s Cathedral
St Mary’s, Leek
St Osburg’s, Coventry
St Mary of the Angels, Aldridge
St Ambrose, Kidderminster

St Peter’s, Bloxwich
Our Lady of Lourdes, Hednesford
St Mary the Mount, Walsall
St Anne’s, Streetly
St Gerard’s, Castle Vale

Sacred Heart & Holy Souls, Tipton
Our Blessed Lady & St Thomas of Canterbury, Dudley
Our Lady & St Anne, Caversham
The Abbey, Erdington
Holy Redeemer, Pershore
The Precious Blood & All Souls, Coventry

St Joseph’s, Malvern
Olton Friary
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Redditch
St John the Baptist with Sacred Heart, Tamworth
St Elizabeth’s, Coventry

Holy Cross, Stone Cross
St Mary’s, Harborne
St Thomas More, Sheldon
St Patrick’s, Walsall
Holy Trinity, Newcastle-under-Lyme

St Mary & St Modwen, Burton on Trent
St Teresa’s, Trent Vale
Holy Name, Great Barr
Our Lady of the Assumption, Tile Hill, Coventry
Sacred Heart, Tunstall

St Hugh’s, Witney
St Thomas of Canterbury, Walsall
St Rose of Lima, Weoley Castle
Our Lady of the Assumption, Maryvale
Christ the King, Kingstanding

St Vincent’s, Nechells,
Holy Trinity, Sutton Coldfield
Sacred Heart & Holy Souls, Acocks Green

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