Sydney Archdiocese welcomed a record 384 catechumens and candidates at the annual Rite of Election at St Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday, a 30 per cent increase in converts from the previous year. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
They were accompanied by 310 godparents and sponsors from 54 parishes, swelling the congregation to more than a thousand and reflecting the increasing priority of evangelisation in the archdiocese.
Simon Yeak, who has overseen the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) in the archdiocese for the past five years, described the experience as “unlike anything I’ve been part of.”
“I never could have foreseen the rise in the number of converts coming into the Church, and it’s really a testament to showing where we are as a church here in Sydney,” he said.
The newcomers were welcomed by one another like family, a testament to the connections formed through their parish RCIA groups and strengthened by months of shared faith and formation, as they journey toward being received into the Catholic Church this Easter.
In his homily, Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP addressed the challenges of Christian life while highlighting its deeply fulfilling nature.
Archbishop Fisher said that living out the Christian faith involves resisting the temptation to take an easy path, particularly during Lent, which is a season that requires effort through fasting, praying, and almsgiving.
Meanwhile, Melbourne Archdiocese also had one of its largest group of candidates and catechumens at its Rite of Election ceremony at St Patrick’s Cathedral at the weekend.
Archbishop Peter A Comensoli told almost 350 catechumens and candidates that “this house of God is your home and I want you to know that.”.
FULL STORY
St Mary’s Cathedral welcomes record numbers at annual Rite of Election (By Darren Ally, The Catholic Weekly)
Almost 350 ‘welcomed home’ at Rite of Election 2025 (Melbourne Catholic)
