Rite of Election held at diocesan cathedral on First Sunday of Lent

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at the annual diocesan Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent, March 9, 2025, at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon.

Bishop Hagemoen first blessed the already-baptized candidates who are journeying to join the Church in the Easter season. Then the Rite of Election was celebrated with catechumens from across the diocese who will be baptized during the Easter Vigil, before receiving Confirmation and First Holy Communion.

Candidates from across the diocese — who are already baptized, and who are now preparing to join the Catholic Church during the Easter Season — were called forth and blessed by Bishop Mark Hagemoen. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Rite of Election

MC Quinton Kleiboer of the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis called forth the catechumens from across the diocese — those who are preparing to receive the Catholic Church’s initiation sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist at this year’s Easter Vigil.

Along with their sponsors, the catechumens from across the diocese were blessed by the bishop and along with their sponsors, signed their names into the diocesan Book of the Elect.

Now known as “the Elect,” they enter a season of preparation, scrutiny, and prayer before receiving the Easter sacraments and becoming full-initiated members of the Catholic Church.

Catechumens preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist in the Catholic Church were called forth and blessed by the bishop at the Rite of Election. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

MC Quin Kleiboer of the diocesan Evangelization and Catechesis Office (left) called forth the catechumens during the Rite of Election March 9. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Catechumens and their sponsors signed their names in the Book of the Elect. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen blesses the Book of Elect brought forward by Marilyn Jackson, diocesan Director of Ministry Services, after the Elect from across the diocese signed their names in the book during the Rite of Election. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Priests attending the Rite of Election joined Bishop Mark Hagemoen in a blessing for the newly-Elect. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Edward Gibney of St. Gabriel Parish in Biggar (right) was among the priests in attendance who joined Bishop Mark Hagemoen in a blessing for the newly-Elect. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

The Rite of Election was celebrated March 9 in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, including celebration of Mass. The diocesan celebration was followed by a reception. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

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