Originally published at Southern Cross
SAN DIEGO — “It is God’s initiative (that) has brought you here. It is God who has called you by name.”
Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Pulido addressed these words to catechumens and candidates on March 8 at one of six Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion liturgies celebrated that weekend in the San Diego Diocese.
Held during the Lenten season, the rite is a diocesan liturgy where those enrolled in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) process are presented to the bishop and declared ready to receive the sacraments of initiation at their parishes during the Easter Vigil.
Collectively, 77 parishes were represented at the six liturgies, one of which was held March 7 at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Imperial, three on March 8 at Good Shepherd Parish in Mira Mesa, and two more on March 9, also at Good Shepherd.
Along with Bishop Pulido, Auxiliary Bishops Ramon Bejarano and Michael Pham took turns as the presider at this year’s liturgies.
There were 433 adult catechumens, or those who have never been baptized, and 1,020 adult candidates, or baptized Christians who are seeking the sacraments of confirmation and First Holy Communion. There were also 139 children
