By Bishop David Ricken | On Mission
How often do our hearts experience discouragement? The struggles of life can tempt us to fall into despair, making us feel like God is no longer at work in our lives.
In this year of jubilee, it is important to take pause to consider the signs of hope present around the diocese. Each sign of hope is like a burning flame that comes to brighten our darkness, leading us to discover anew the truth that God is near, waiting for us with open arms ready to embrace us in his love!
In the Diocese of Green Bay, we rejoice in the great sign of hope that was the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion. This liturgical celebration marked the Church’s recognition of over 100 catechumens and 75 candidates who desired to receive the sacraments of initiation during the Easter Vigil!
These children and adults were accompanied by their pastors, catechists, sponsors and godparents — all of whom bore witness to the catechumens’ and candidates’ devotion to the Word of God, growth in prayer and commitment to Christian discipleship. It was a sight to behold! It fills my heart with joy to see the growing number of individuals who are responding in faith to the stirring of the Holy Spirit, who draws us all into deeper conversion and abundance of life in Christ through the sacraments!
The joyful witness of these elects and candidates serves not only as a sign of hope for our diocese but also a call for each one of us to consider how we, too, are being called to deeper relationship with Christ and his church. Inspired by the witness of faith of these catechumens and candidates, we, too, are called to draw near to Christ through a deeper commitment to daily prayer, a return to the sacrament of reconciliation and a reclaiming of Sunday Mass.
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to prayerfully consider taking a step in faith and return to the loving arms of our Lord who is waiting to receive you. May the Holy Spirit fill us with the courage to frequent the sacraments more readily, for it is in them that we find the source of hope that does not disappoint!
I invite us all to join in prayer for the elect and candidates as they continue along the journey to the sacraments of initiation. We continue in joyful celebration this Easter season, united in the redeeming love of our resurrected Lord.
See more photos from Rite of Election here.
