A woman places her hand in prayer on the shoulder of a girl she is sponsoring to enter the Catholic Church, during the March 9, 2025, 2 p.m. Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion at St. Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
Candidates, catechumens, welcomed during next step on their journeys to the Catholic Church
BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
In early March, the Diocese of Owensboro held the annual celebrations of Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion. Three separate celebrations were held: on March 2 at St. Jerome Parish in Fancy Farm, and on March 9 at 2 p.m. and at 6 p.m. at St. Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro.
The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion are for those who are undergoing the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (known as OCIA) to enter the final phase of catechetical and spiritual formation as they prepare to enter the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.
The Rite of Election portion was for catechumens – those who have never been baptized – and the Call to Continuing Conversion portion was for candidates – those who have already been validly baptized and who are experiencing the call on their hearts to enter into full communion of the Catholic Church.
A baptized candidate meets Bishop William F. Medley during the March 2, 2025 Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion held at St. Jerome Parish in Fancy Farm. COURTESY OF ZACH AULT
A young woman smiles after meeting Bishop William F. Medley during the March 9, 2025, 2 p.m. Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion at St. Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
A catechumen inscribes her name into the Book of the Elect during the March 2, 2025 Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion held at St. Jerome Parish in Fancy Farm. COURTESY OF ZACH AULT
Originally printed in the April 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
