Photo gallery: A shared Lenten journey of faith

The 840 people across the Archdiocese of Washington who are preparing to become full members of the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil on April 3, 2021 marked an important step on their journeys of faith at the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion liturgies held on the first two Sundays of Lent, Feb. 21 and Feb. 28, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, presided over by Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of Washington.

In the Rite of Election, catechumens preparing for Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion at the Easter Vigil were supported by godparents from their parishes and were recognized as the elect. In the Call to Continuing Conversion, already baptized candidates preparing for Confirmation and First Communion at the Easter Vigil were supported by sponsors. Following COVID-19 safety precautions, participants wore face masks and sat at social distances in alternating pews.

Feb. 21, 2021, CS photo by Andrew Biraj

In his homily at the Feb. 21 liturgy, Cardinal Gregory said those preparing to become full members of the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil are in the “final stages of a very important faith journey that is leading them to Christ in his Church,” and he also noted, “We all find great comfort in knowing that we are all traveling this faith pilgrimage together. There is a spirit of great delight and confidence for this particular local church of the Archdiocese of Washington, simply in realizing that we are all approaching Christ Jesus together.” (Catholic Standard photos by Andrew Biraj and Mihoko Owada)