It was a joyful first Sunday of Lent, March 6, at our Mother Church, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, at 3pm and 7pm, with the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion for those preparing to be baptized and fully enter into the life of the Catholic Church.

At the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion, we had a total of 74 Catechumens and 179 Candidates for our Catholic Diocese of Memphis. Please see the photos from the Afternoon (3pm): ElectConversionPhotos3pm and Evening (7pm): ElectConversionPhotos7pm. God is great!

During the Rite of Election, Catechumens (those who have not been baptized in any Christian faith tradition) publicly expressed to Bishop David P. Talley, the sixth Bishop of Memphis, their desire for Baptism. Their names were recorded in the Book of the Elect, a designation which reflects that the local Bishop, in the name of the Lord and the local Church, is choosing or electing them to share in the Easter Sacraments.

Candidates (those who were baptized in another Christian faith tradition) celebrate the Call to Continuing Conversion, publicly professed their faith and their desire to come into full communion with the Catholic Church. Then, throughout the remainder of Lent, which focuses on the need for ongoing conversion, the Catechumens and Candidates join with Catholics throughout the world in seeking to deepen their faith, grow in holiness and strengthen their relationships with God and neighbor. Also, please take a moment to listen to the video from Bishop Talley on the important day as our Catechumens and Candidates begin to experience what it means to live as Catholic Christian disciples of our Lord: BishopTalleyElectConversion.