02/23/2026
On this First Sunday of Lent the following Rites are celebrated with people wanting to join the Catholic Church through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults [OCIA].
THE RITE OF SENDING, celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, is one of the Rites of OCIA in which catechumens who have been preparing for many months to join the Catholic Church through Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are recognized by the local parish are sent forth to the Bishop for the Rite of Election with the assurance of the parish’s care and support. This afternoon catechumens from around the Diocese of Sioux City will gather at the Cathedral in Sioux City with their sponsors to be affirmed by the Bishop as they enter the final weeks of preparation complete their initiation into the Catholic Church as an Elect.
THE RITE OF ELECTION is celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, marks the end of the catechumenate period and begins the period of final, more intense preparation for the sacraments of initiation for Catechumens. This period is called the period of Purification and Enlightenment. Up to this point, the Church has offered formation in the Catholic faith but has not made a final decision about the Catechumen’s readiness for the initiation sacraments. The Church is now ready, officially and finally, to call them to the fullness of life with the Church this Easter. The Rite of Election is celebrated at the Cathedral in Sioux City on the First Sunday of Lent with the Bishop presiding. As pastor of the Diocese, it is the bishop’s privilege and responsibility to call those who are ready to the Sacraments of Initiation. This rite is called “Election” because God elects or chooses them for the Sacraments of Initiation through the Church. From this point on, Catechumens will be known as “The Elect.”