OCIA Coordinators’ Update: 8/21/2026
Rite of Election, Sunday, August 30, 7 pm Mass
(Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Bishop Larry Sullivan who serves Cardinal Cupich as Vicar General has graciously accepted Fr. Peter’s invitation to preside at Saint Clement to mark the Rite of Election for our OCIA members who began their sacramental preparations in May. This Rite marks a transition closer to the Sacraments of Initiation which will be celebrated on Sunday, October 4, at the 11:15 am Mass.
Those seeking baptism are known as “catechumens,” that is, “individuals learning about our faith and preparing for baptism.” Those baptized in other Christian churches who seek full communion with the Catholic Church, together with baptized Catholics who seek to complete their initiation into the Church through the sacraments of Confirmation and/or Communion, are known as “candidates.”
As catechumens draw closer to the time of baptism they are “elected,” chosen by the Church in the name of Christ to move toward the waters of rebirth in baptism. As part of the Rite, Bishop Sullivan will query their godparents and catechists regarding their readiness to move toward final preparations for baptism.
Have they been nurturing a relationship with God and His Church and drawing strength and grace from prayer and the Scriptures? Are they integrating into the parish community of Saint Clement? He will invite them to enroll their names in the Book of the Elect, a public commitment to their continued faith journey and he will declare them “chosen” to move closer to the waters of new life in baptism.
The Cardinal will also query the sponsors of the candidates and their catechists to attest that they have faithfully and sincerely continued to grow in their relationship with Christ and His Church, through participation in the Saint Clement community’s worship and social experiences as well as in service to those in need. Candidate will be encouraged, as all of us who are baptized, to deepen our closeness to God in prayer, through reading and reflecting on God’s Word and through active apostolic service.
Those not sharing Communion with us will be dismissed, as we’ve seen over the months, to reflect on the gospel of the day in another space. Those Catholics who are in Communion with us will remain for the Eucharist.
Have you reflected lately on these same questions asked of our catechumens and candidates? How have you sustained and grown your prayer life? How have the Scriptures spoken to your life? How has your spiritual life changed these past months, this past year? We’re all on the same journey toward communion with God and one another. Please pray for those seeking full initiation in the Church.
Our fall cohort of those wishing to be baptized, baptized Christians seeking to join the Catholic Church and baptized Catholics seeking Confirmation and/or Communion will begin the week of November 16. The Monday cohort will meet at Saint Clement. The Thursday cohort will meet at St. Teresa of Avila. Members of both communities may choose the day best suited to their schedules.
Those with little experience of Christ and the Church are encouraged to sign up for Alpha which begins in September and/or take part in our various Beta and spirituality courses.
Fr. Radley Alcantara and Ed Harasim, OCIA Coordinator, eharasim@clement.org
Learn more about OCIA