The Art of Being Chosen
As a child, when our neighborhood group of friends would have a spontaneous game of baseball or football, we initiated our play with the all too familiar “choosing of sides.” Even in the seminary, when we had recreational games, the “choosing of sides,” was almost as exciting as the actual game itself. I can remember the exhilaration of hearing my name called – never first – but never last, and then the game began. The art of being chosen, whether in sports or other childhood activities was important, as the two captains, going back and forth would put together, what they thought was the potentially winning side. This becomes, of course, more sophisticated later on in life when we might be chosen from among others to assume a new task, position, or new role to play. Even in the Church, there is the art of choosing or selecting individuals for some important work.
On the first Sunday of Lent, each year, the local parishes hold a Mass wherein there is the “Rite of Sending.” The Director of Faith Formation for the parish presents to the pastor of the parish the names of individuals who have journeyed for many months in the “Order of the Christian Initiation of Adults,” and are deemed ready to be chosen or selected by the local bishop to receive the sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. In that ceremony, during a regular weekend Mass, they approach the pastor when their name is called and sign their name in, what is called, “The Book of the Elect.” The ceremony calls for the pastor to then “send” them to the bishop at the Cathedral, and it is there at the Cathedral where the bishop “elects,” or “chooses” them to receive the sacraments at the Easter Vigil.
When I was a pastor and had the opportunity to attend both the Rite of Sending at my parish Church, and then, later that day, the Rite of Election at the Cathedral, there was always a feeling of exhilaration I would feel when my parishioners’ names were called out, and then when the bishop would sign his name in the Book of the Elect, and tell them, each of them, that they have been chosen. These two ceremonies are relatively new in the Church, and many of our parishioners never experienced these for themselves – but it’s just wonderful to witness – and now as a bishop – more exciting to be the one to call out to these candidates and catechumens, in much the same way as we did as children before a sporting game.
How wonderful it was for me to preside over the Rite of Election at our Cathedral, and even more so, how wonderful to look into the faces of those who will officially join our numbers on Holy Saturday.
And now, in the weeks before they do so, I have the opportunity to enjoin the entire diocesan family to pray for these “Elect,” that God will make the most of their love for Him, and create in them through the sacraments they will receive for the first time, faithful members of the Church.
Through this medium, I ask you to pray, not only for our new Catholics in your parish, but for all those who have been called from among the many, the chosen, the Elect throughout our Diocese who will hear their name called, and begin the activity to follow as a member of the Church!