'Here I am': Rite of Election marks next step for those seeking to enter the Church

Afternoon sunlight streamed through the stained glassed windows of St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge on Sunday, Feb. 18, adding to the buoyant atmosphere as the unbaptized elect and baptized candidates and their sponsors, families, and friends gathered for the Rite of Election. 

There were two separate afternoon celebrations to accommodate the large numbers of people in attendance. Four hundred and five people – 142 elect and 263 candidates – were accepted to take the next steps to complete the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program and enter the church at the Easter Vigil Mass on March 30.  

Bishop Michael G. Duca, who presided at the celebrations, highlighted the immensity of God’s love and unity of the church in his homily.  

“Welcome to your church, your mother church,” said Bishop Duca at the 4 p.m. service. He explained the word cathedral, which is the church of the bishop, derives from the Greek word for “chair.” The chairs of the bishop, located in every cathedral of every diocese, symbolize the unity of faith that is expressed by all the bishops, including the bishop of Rome, the pope, according to Bishop Duca.  

He referred to the Gospel reading of the day from John 3:16–21 as one of the most beautiful, yet saddest Scripture passages of the Bible. It starts with the beautiful, well-known phrase, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but have eternal life.” 

The saddest part of the Scripture, the bishop noted, comes next: “The light came into the world, but people prefer darkness to light. 

“I hope that your journey that brought you here is one of a growing light that dispels the darkness of the heart,” Bishop Duca said. 

He expressed his hope that as the elect and candidates enter the church, receive the sacraments, and continue life-long formation, they will be transformed into the image of Christ and be his witness to the world. 

Following the celebration, the elect and candidates indicated that ties with family, friends, and others drew them to seek entry into the church. 

Raul Lathan was motivated to convert from a non-denominational church to Catholicism by his good friend, Father Joshua Johnson, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge and director of the Office of Vocations for the Diocese of Baton Rouge. 

“I’ve watched him grow as a priest,” said Lathan. 

Father Johnson connected him with St. Paul the Apostle Church in Baton Rouge, where he will join the church at the Easter Vigil Mass. Lathan enjoys St. Paul’s vibrant liturgy and looks forward to joining the congregation at the Eucharistic table. 

A family of three, Erin and Jamey Sandefur and their son, “Jimbo,” credit the Brothers of the Sacred Heart with their decision to convert from being Episcopalian to Catholic. They will enter the church at St. Thomas More Church in Baton Rouge.   

The Sandefurs toured Catholic High School in Baton Rouge to see if the school would be a good fit for Jimbo and were “blown away” by the interactions between the Brothers and the CHS students. 


Top right photo: As the unbaptized are presented to Bishop Michael G. Duca, the Books of the Elect are shown to him.
Above photo: Sponsors, as well as family and friends, put their hands on the shoulders of baptized candidates as they are recognized for full Communion or full initiation. Photos by Nicole Jones | Office of Digital Media | Diocese of Baton Rouge

“We decided that’s what we want,” said Erin, who serves on the Livingston Parish Council. 

Jimbo will become a Bear when he enters 9th grade in the fall, and the Sandefurs also found a church home. 

“We had been searching for a while,” said Jamey. 

Erin and Jamey are captivated by the Catholic faith and are eager to learn more about it and to fellowship with parishioners. 

Jimbo looks forward to hearing more of STM Pastor Michael Alello’s homilies. 

When Alexis (Lexi) Foster was asked what inspired her to seek to be baptized, receive Communion, and be confirmed at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge, she smiled at her boyfriend Jorge Cardenas and his family gathered around the table with her and said, “All the people here (with me), their love for adoration and the Lord.” 

Celeste Veillon and Hugo Andricain cantor during the Rite of Election.

Jorje grinned as he said, “I brought her to some of the (OLOM) functions,” then paused and said, “I dragged her along.” 

But Lexi is ready to claim the faith as her own. She enjoys spending time in the OLOM adoration chapel with Jorje and his family and is following the Eucharistic Revival, which increases her anticipation of receiving the Eucharist. 

Jorje’s mother, Balby, and Lexi bond by talking about the Blessed Mother and how she brings people to Jesus.  

Balby said one day she felt the need to give her Miraculous Medal to Lexi. 

“I asked her, ‘Would you like to have it?’ and I took it off my neck and gave it to her,” said Balby. 

She hopes the Holy Spirit fills Lexi as she enters the church.  

Jorge said, “It’s going to be a special night for the whole family.” 

Chris Rice, who will enter the church at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in St. Amant, was prompted to enter RCIA because his granddaughter, Ava Grace Rice, who often stays at their home, will be receiving her first Communion in April. His wife, Lynn, will be his sponsor. 

“It’s all about the family that prays together stays together,” said Chris Rice, who is converting from the Lutheran denomination. 

He said he anticipates moving closer to Christ through the sacraments. 

Chris and Ava would come forward with their arms to receive a blessing during Communion, but soon she and Papa will be able to receive Communion together. 

“I’m excited,” said Ava.