Westminster celebrates largest Rite of Election in 15 years

Westminster Cathedral ICN/JS

Source: CBCEW

On Saturday 21 February, Archbishop Richard Moth presided at the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion at Westminster Cathedral, the first such celebration since his installation as Archbishop of Westminster.

While the Rite of Election is a fixed point in the Church's liturgical calendar, it also serves as a practical barometer of ecclesial life. This year, almost 800 adults from more than 100 parishes presented themselves for election or recognition ahead of Easter, when they will receive the Sacraments of Initiation in their local communities; Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion.

In numerical terms, the 2026 cohort is the fourth largest since diocesan records began in 1993. The highest figure remains 2011, when 891 people took part, including 63 candidates entering through the Ordinariate. From 1993 to around 2014, participation remained relatively stable, before declining steadily to a low point in 2022 during the pandemic years. Since then, however, numbers have risen sharply, reaching levels not seen in fifteen years. This year's cohort represents a 37% increase from 2025.

Headline totals, however, tell only part of the story. When measured by the average number of catechumens and candidates per participating parish, data tracked in detail since 2007, this year appears to be the strongest on record.

In his homily, Archbishop Moth framed the day not simply as an administrative step, but as a decisive spiritual moment. Addressing the catechumens, whose names are now inscribed in the Book of the Elect, he described the gathering of those names in the Cathedral as "a powerful sign of the journey you have been taking - a journey that will reach its high point in the new life of Baptism."

"The Psalmist speaks of the desire that we come to know the ways of the Lord, following His paths in response to his gentle summons and knowing that God will always be merciful, always near. Catechumens and Candidates, you have heard the gentle promptings of the Holy Spirit. Your presence here is a sign of your response to God's call. Your response is an example to us all."

The distinction between catechumens and candidates remains significant. Catechumens are unbaptised adults preparing for Baptism, while candidates are already baptised Christians seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. Historically, candidates have outnumbered catechumens, but the gap has narrowed in recent years suggesting a consistent number of adults encountering the Catholic faith for the first time.

Louise Walton, Catechesis Coordinator for the diocese, celebrated this moment, describing the Rite as both joyful and encouraging, noting the scale of participation and the accompaniment offered by sponsors, godparents, clergy, and catechists.

"Every catechumen and candidate is moving into a deeper encounter with Christ and the Church, and, speaking as a catechist, it is a privilege to accompany them on that path," she said.

The Rite of Election, celebrated annually on the first Saturday of Lent, marks the beginning of a period of continued preparation until Easter, when the Elect and candidates will receive the Sacraments of Initiation in their parishes. The Book of the Elect will remain in the Baptistery of Westminster Cathedral until Holy Saturday, inviting visitors to pray for the Elect.