183 candidates and catechumens from 52 parishes gathered at St Chad's Cathedral to make a significant step towards their reception into the Catholic Church.

The Rite of Election marks 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 choir, like last year, was a gathering of singers from around the diocese to mark this very special occasion.

Archbishop Bernard Longley welcomed those who have had the call to embrace the mission of Jesus, the mission of God’s Kingdom.

Deacon Owen Gresty said of the candidates: “They have found strength in God’s grace and support in our community’s prayers and example.

“These, our catechumens, request to be baptized and together with the candidates, ask that they be allowed to receive the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist at Easter.”

His Grace, Archbishop Bernard Longley asked them to respond aloud to the question: “Do you wish to enter fully into the life of the Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist?”

The candidates then inscribed their names in the Book of the Elect to signify that they have heard God call their name and wish to respond to his call. They came up to the front of the Cathedral to be presented to the Archbishop and to Bishops David McGough and Robert Byrne by their priests.

We pray that these elect may find joy in daily prayer and grow ever closer to you.

Read the Archbishop's homily here

Photo gallery

At the Rite of Election, we welcomed Candidates and Catechumens from the following parishes:

 

St Osburg’s, Coventry

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Redditch

St Ambrose Barlow, Hall Green

Sacred Heart, Aston

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Bulkington &

St Francis of Assisi, Bedworth

 

St Elizabeth’s, Coventry

St John & St Martin, Balsall Heath

St Anthony’s, Wolverhampton

St Mary & St Benedict’s, Coventry

Olton Friary

 

St Peter’s, Bloxwich

St Joseph’s, Thame

St Peter’s, Bromsgrove

St George’s, Worcester

Our Lady Queen of Peace, Worcester

 

St Edmund & St Frideswide, Oxford

St Mary the Mount, Walsall

St Mary Immaculate, Warwick

Our Lady & St Thomas of Canterbury, Dudley

Sacred Heart & Holy Souls, Tipton

 

St Gregory’s, Longton

St Patrick’s, Dudley Road

St Hubert’s, Warley

St Mary of the Angels, Aldridge

St Ambrose, Kidderminster

St Wilfrid, Castle Bromwich

St Mary & St Modwen, Burton on Trent

Sacred Heart & St Teresa, Coleshill

St Mary’s, Harborne

Holy Trinity, Newcastle-under-Lyme

 

St Wulstan’s, Wolstanton

Ss Peter & Paul, Wolverhampton

St Bernadette’s, Wolverhamton

St Michael’s, Wolverhampton

Our Lady of the Angels, Nuneaton

 

St Joseph’s, Warndon

Holy Name, Great Barr

The Abbey, Erdington

St Thomas More, Sheldon

St. Philip Neri, Smethwick

 

St Mary’s, Leek

Our Lady & St Anne, Caversham

St Hugh of Lincoln, Woodstock

Our Lady of the Assumption, Tile Hill, Coventry

St Peter’s, Leamington Spa

 

St Mary & St Thomas More, Cannock

The Immaculate Conception, Bicester

St Michael’s, Moor Street

St John the Baptist, Tamworth

Our Lady & St Brigid, Northfield

 

St John Fisher, West Heath

Our Lady of the Assumption, Maryvale

Christ the King, Kingstanding

St Augustine’s, Meir