The Rite of Election will be celebrated this year on Sunday, Feb. 22, the First Sunday of Lent, by Bishop Earl Fernandes.
The rite will be held at two locations: Columbus St. Catharine of Siena Church at 1:30 p.m. in English and 4 p.m. in Spanish at Columbus Christ the King Church.
The rite is celebrated for individuals, known as catechumens, who are unbaptized and preparing to receive the Church’s three sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist.
Catechumens will enter the Church on Saturday, April 4, the date of the Easter Vigil this year.
The Rite of Election concludes a formation period in the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) known as the catechumenate stage. The rite begins a final preparation period for individuals preparing to receive the sacraments of initiation.
During the Rite of Election, the director of OCIA, or designee, from the parish is present with the catechumens preparing to receive the sacraments.
OCIA directors are called forward during the Rite of Election by Bishop Fernandes to read aloud the names of the catechumens, formally presenting them to the bishop. Catechumens stand when their name is called.
The bishop elects, or chooses, the catechumens to enter into a final preparation period. Each OCIA director places a sheet with the catechumens’ names in the Book of the Elect.
After the rite, a catechumen is known as an elect.
The elect will begin a period of purification and enlightenment, focused on spiritual preparation, interior reflection and repentance, before receiving the sacraments of initiation six weeks later.
Baptized Christians who are not Catholic but seeking full communion with the Church through the sacraments of the Eucharist and/or Confirmation are known as candidates. Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion is an optional rite celebrated for baptized Christians typically at the parish level.
Irish organizations sponsor summer student trip
Students who will be graduating from eighth through 12th grades this year are invited to apply for a 26-day summer program in Ireland designed to introduce North American students to the characteristics and qualities of Irish life.
Locally, the Daughters of Erin, the Shamrock Club and the Greater Columbus Irish Cultural Foundation will combine to sponsor one scholarship to what is known as the Irish Life Experience. The event will take place from June 28 to July 23 and include classes, workshops and tours in locations throughout Ireland.
The sponsoring organizations will pay for round-trip airfare from Boston to Ireland, room and board, tuition, group tours, transportation and activities for the winning student. Personal items such as souvenirs and snacks are not included. The student’s family will be responsible for paying for transportation to and from Columbus and Boston.
There will occasionally be optional activities offered at an additional cost, such as amusement park rides, concerts and movies.
Students applying for the program must be recommended by a member of one of seven Irish-related organizations in central Ohio: the Ancient Order of Hibernians Patrick Pearse Division, Columbus Comhaltas, Daughters of Erin, Emerald Society of Columbus, Greater Columbus Irish Cultural Foundation, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, and Shamrock Club of Columbus.
Interested students should not apply for the program online. Instead, contact the Daughters of Erin at daughtersoferin@gmail.com, for application materials. These will include an application form, school transcript and recommendations from school counselors and teachers.
The deadline to apply is Wednesday, April 1. Applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview with the selection committee.
For more information, go to www.irishlifeexperience.com.
Dominican Learning Center awarded grant
The Dominican Learning Center, a founding ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, has received a $6,000 grant from the Catholic Foundation to help support adult learners in the 2025 -2026 academic year.
The center will use the money as needed to provide basic academic skills through June for people learning the English language, to conduct training and in-service programs for volunteer teachers and to provide them with the materials needed.
The center conducts learning programs at its office at 672 S. 3rd St., Columbus and seven Columbus Catholic churches – St. Peter/St. Joan of Arc, St. James the Less, St. Thomas the Apostle (Martin de Porres Center), St. Mary Magdalene (Bishop Ready High School), St. Cecilia, Christ the King (All Saints Academy) and St. Josephine Bakhita.
The center has multiple success stories each academic year that show itspositive impact on learners. At least 80 percent of learners have shown an improvement in reading and listening skills as measured by pre- and post-testing. The end of the year becomes a time of celebration at the partner parishes as learners are recognized and various cultures celebrate achievements together.
University to serve as pilgrimage site
Franciscan University of Steubenville will serve as a pilgrimage site for the 2026 Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi, declared by Pope Leo XIV in honor of the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death.
The pope’s declaration said that during the year, the faithful are invited to “follow the example of the Saint of Assisi, becoming models of holiness of life and constant witnesses of peace.”
Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, university president, said three chapels at the university – the Portiuncula Chapel, a model of the chapel St. Francis rebuilt in Assisi; the recently renovated Christ the King Chapel, and the Sacred Heart Chapel in the university’s new Christ the Teacher academic building – will serve as pilgrimage destinations.
Pilgrims who fulfill conditions outlined by the Church at these sites may receive the special indulgence granted for the Jubilee.
The university will host the “Sister Death – Gate of Life” conference from Thursday to
Saturday, Nov. 5 to 7, marking the anniversary of St. Francis’ death.
The event will feature keynote presentations by distinguished Franciscan scholars including Father J. A. Wayne Hellmann, OFM Conv; Father Thomas A. Piolata, OFM Cap; and Sister Margaret Carney, OFS, and will include discussions on St. Francis’ life and legacy, Franciscan tradition, and Catholic and Franciscan views on health care, care for the dying and enduring Christian hope.
Dominican Sisters offer ‘Zoom and See’ retreat
Columbus, OH – The Dominican Sisters of Peace will host a Lenten discernment retreat on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 27 and 28 via the Zoom videoconference platform.
The theme of the retreat will be “Beyond Giving Things Up.” It is open to single Catholic women ages 18 to 45 who are contemplating a religious life. It will be led by Sister . Francine Schwarzenberger, OP, a spiritual director and liturgy coordinator at the Heartland Spiritual Center in Great Bend, Kansas.
The retreat is designed to be a time when those discerning a religious vocation can learn about life as a sister and experience Lent in a new way. It will offer ways to turn from superficial Lenten practices and find new ways to receive the gifts of Lent and enter a deeper relationship with God.
Zoom sessions from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday will cover topics including how to reflect and discern and the pillars of Dominican life – prayer, service, community and study.
Those who attend will be able to ask questions of the sisters and others involved in the retreat. They can also arrange time to talk with a sister one-on-one during and after the retreat.
To find out more and to register, contact Sister Ana Gonzalez at (475) .224.0519 or ana.gonzalez@oppeace.org. The Dominican Sisters of Peace currently have five women in formation for consecrated religious life.