Over 1000 catechumens enrolled in the Book of the Elect

KOTA KINABALU – Over 1000 catechumens have their names enrolled in the Book of the Elect at the Rite of Election or Enrollment of Names on 18 Feb 2018, first Sunday of Lent, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral here.

Archbishop John Wong officiated the trilingual Rite of Election.  The 1,013 catechumens, their 865 sponsors/godparents, 151 facilitators and 17 parish pastors, gathered at the cathedral for the rite.  The catechumens publicly expressed their desire for baptism.  Their names were recorded in their respective parish books which were duly presented to the prelate by the coordinators for his signature.  They are now called the Elect.

The days of Lent are the final Period of Purification and Enlightenment leading up to the Easter Vigil. Lent is a period of preparation marked by prayer, study, and spiritual direction for the Elect, and prayers for them by the parish communities. The Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation takes place during the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday, Mar 31, and on Easter Sunday, Apr 1, when the Elect receives the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.

The Elect came from the 18 parishes and two sub-parishes in the archdiocese with Ranau having the largest contingent of 140.  Labuan has its own Rite of Election (47 Elect) due to its geographical location.