The Rite of Election and the Irish Saint Who Was Once a Slave

The Journey to Full Communion with the Church: Trust in God

This year’s Rite of Election celebrated on Sunday included 75 catechumens and 25 candidates from 33 parishes across the Diocese. We are blessed by the number of individuals each year who continue to wish to enter into full communion with the Church.

As I stood before the catechumens, candidates and their families and friends gathered for the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion at the Cathedral of St. Mary the Assumption, I couldn’t help but wonder — what brought each of them to that moment? What inspired them to take this important step toward becoming Catholic, seeking Baptism, or reaffirming their faith? In my homily, I shared that I could not answer those questions, but hoped that, deep down in their hearts, each of the catechumens and candidates knew the reason. 

Perhaps it’s because they recognized that something was missing in their lives — that they needed the grace of God, the strength of the Sacraments, and the support of the Church. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit stirred in their hearts and led them to this important decision out of a genuine desire to connect with God, not just because they want to get married or be a sponsor, but because they felt called to deepen their relationship with Christ.

During the Mass, we formally welcomed the catechumens and candidates, as they prepare for the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. This journey isn’t about one’s strength or talents — it’s about relying on God’s grace.

At the Easter Vigil, these individuals will stand before God and the Church, ready to receive the Sacraments and embrace a new life of faith. Sponsors and godparents play a vital role in guiding them, ensuring they understand the significance of Baptism and its lifelong commitment to God.

Photos: Deacon Alan Thadeu and the Secretariat for the New Evangelization

Last weekend’s Gospel (Luke 4:1-13), was fitting for the Rite of Election, recounting Jesus’ time in the desert. There, He resisted temptation and remained faithful to God. Jesus showed that life is not about comfort or success but about following God’s will. Like Jesus, catechumens and candidates will face temptations after receiving the Sacraments—complacency, neglecting prayer, or drifting from the Church. Faith is a challenging but rewarding journey. Remember Jesus’ example: staying faithful, even in difficulty, by putting God above all else.

I reminded the catechumens and candidates that the grace of the Sacraments will bear fruit in their lives if they remain open to it. If they stay faithful to their promises, they will see how God works through them in their family, parish, and community. My prayer is that they will continue growing in faith, supported by their sponsors and godparents, and that they will find strength and hope in this new chapter of their lives. God is working through them — and that is a powerful sign of hope for all of us.

St. Patrick, the Apostle of Ireland

Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.

Saint Patrick

On Monday, Catholics and many others will celebrate the life and ministry of Saint Patrick, the 5th-century Irish bishop. Over the years, much of Saint Patrick’s remarkable story has been overshadowed by the secularization of his feast day. While he is widely known as the patron saint of Ireland, his life was one of extraordinary faith, sacrifice, and courage.

Saint Patrick’s early life was marked by intense hardship. According to Catholic Relief Services, St. Patrick “was one of the first great Christian voices against human trafficking’s brutal cousin, slavery, as he became a slave.” During enslavement, his faith deepened, and he eventually returned to Ireland as a missionary, determined to bring the message of Christ to the very people who had once enslaved him. His fearless ministry, grounded in forgiveness and unwavering faith, led to the conversion of thousands and the establishment of Christianity in Ireland, which remains the dominant religion in the Emerald Isle today. 

St. Patrick’s legacy is not found only in popular culture and the wearing of green on March 17. His legacy can be found in hundreds of churches and parishes across the United States and world. Here in the Diocese of Fall River, there is a parish in Wareham named for St. Patrick and two churches bear his name: one in Falmouth (part of St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish) and another in Somerset (part of Our Lady of Peace Parish). Given the number of Irish immigrants who settled in Massachusetts beginning in the 18th Century, it is no surprise that many parishes and churches in the area are dedicated to the Irish Saint. 

May St. Patrick’s example of forgiveness of those who enslaved him and trust in God encourage all of us to face our own challenges with courage and faith.

Sincerely, 

+Bishop da Cunha