East Midlands based Catholics-to-be gather in their hundreds

^{Source: Diocese of Nottingham}

More than 200 catechumens and candidates were present, with more than 300 other people who turned out to support them.

The Rite of Election service is traditionally celebrated on the 1^st Sunday of Lent and marks the official acceptance of people preparing to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil, later this year.

The term 'candidate' refers to those who have already been baptised in the Christian faith but who wish to also make their First Holy Communion and be confirmed Catholic.

Catechumens are individuals who are ready to be baptised and confirmed a Catholic and to make their First Holy Communion, as well.

Joe Hopkins, Director of Adult Formation for Mission for the Diocese of Nottingham, commented that it was the largest turnout that he had seen in several years. “There were so many people, that two parish groups had to be seated on the sanctuary behind the choir! It was extraordinary!” he said.

“In keeping with our Jubilee Year, the theme of the service was hope and how through encountering Christ, everyone present at the cathedral had received the gift of hope.

“The vast number of people who travelled to be there, either in anticipation of receiving the sacraments at Easter, or in support of those preparing to, was a powerful testament to how encountering Christ is a life-changing experience.”

While the virtues of faith and hope were overflowing in the cathedral on Sunday, the gift of charity was also in abundance as the service was dedicated to supporting two local charities; Emmanuel House and Jericho Road Project.

While Emmanuel House serves the homeless, Jericho Road is dedicated to rescuing women from the sex industry and this year celebrates, 25 years since its inception.  

Congregants were encouraged to donate toiletries, hygiene products, underwear and other essentials to the two charities and in total it was estimated that they received between 1,500-2000 items, some of which were displayed in front of the altar.  

Bishop Patrick McKinney of Nottingham preached a short homily during the service in which he said that the definition of a disciple is “is someone who is trying each day to move from a ‘me-centred’ relationship with Christ, to one that seeks to hear and respond to what Christ may be asking of them. That attitude is simply expressed in Psalm 40: ‘Here I am, Lord, I come to do your will’.”

Bishop Patrick went on to reiterate his call for all present to be “ambassadors of hope” in keeping with the spirit of the Jubilee Year.  

During the service, candidates and catechumens also listened to a powerful testimony from David Atta, parishioner at St John Paul II Parish Church in Arnold Alfreton and Alpha volunteer, who was received into the Church last year.

He described how the Covid-19 pandemic effected his entire outlook on life, sparking in him a desire to find the truth.  

Having tried a number of Christian churches, he encountered the Mass and felt that he had finally discovered, “full-fat Christianity.”  

He imparted five top tips for those present: Accept the forgiveness and reconciliation you receive from the sacraments; Pray the Rosary; Get involved with parish life; never miss Mass  and give the Latin Mass a try.