Forty adults from seven parishes gathered at Sacred Heart Cathedral on 22 February for the Rite of Election — a decisive step in their faith journey and towards becoming Catholic.

The presence of these Catechumens and Candidates signals a 300 per cent increase in the number of adults seeking to enter the Catholic Church in our Diocese, jumping from ten adults in 2025. Similar growth has been reported in Melbourne and Sydney, where Church leaders have spoken not of statistics, but of grace at work.

Diocesan Administrator Fr Brian Boyle described the RCIA program as “A great means for adults to come into the full sacramental life of the Church. The increasing number of adults presenting is a good indication of the power of the Spirit in our local church”.

For the 22 catechumens and 18 candidates in Sandhurst, the Rite of Election marks the beginning of the final phase of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) — a process that is intentional and demanding. Over many months, they have been formed through prayer, the Word of God and parish life, learning not only the beliefs of the Church but its rhythms and responsibilities.

At the Rite of Election, the Church formally affirms their readiness to continue. Catechumens inscribe their names in the Book of the Elect and are now known as the Elect. Candidates, already baptised, sign their parish Book of Welcome as they continue their conversion towards full communion.

During Lent, they enter the Period of Purification and Enlightenment, shaped by reflection, the Scrutinies on the Sundays of Lent and reconciliation. On 15 March, they will gather for a guided RCIA retreat at St Augustine’s, Kyabram, to prepare for the sacraments they will receive at Easter.

At the Easter Vigil, the Elect will receive Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, while Candidates will receive Confirmation and Eucharist. Their journey continues in the Period of Mystagogy, as they deepen their sacramental life and learn to live what they have received.
Please keep these forty adults in your prayers as they continue their Lenten journey towards Easter.