The group with Bishop Kieran at the Rite of Election

Members of the Eastbourne Ordinariate Group with Bishop Kieran following the Rite of Election at Arundel Cathedral

The Diocese of Arundel and Brighton covers Sussex and Surrey, and the cathedral isn’t big enough for everyone who is to join the Church at Easter with their godparents, sponsors and supporters. So there are two services for the Rite of Election. Eastbourne’s was in the afternoon, and that service had an additional section for Celebrating the Call to Continuing Conversion of those who would be members of the Ordinariate.

The added portion of the afternoon’s service was on a sheet which it appeared was only made available to members of the Ordinariate Group, so we reproduce the text below.

It’s already apparent that the welcome we are receiving from Catholics in the diocese is warm and generous, and we’re very grateful.

We stopped off for lunch on the way to Arundel…

Most of the Group are in this picture

The Holy Father, Pope Benedict, when he spoke at the end of his visit to this country, asked that we should be generous in our welcome of those who seek to be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church within the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. Within our own diocese groups who seek this full communion have been preparing for admission to the Sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist at the end of Lent.

I now invite those who desire to participate fully in the sacramental life of the Church to come forward as your name is called.

[To the congregation] My dear friends, these candidates, our brothers and sisters, have asked to be able to participate fully in the sacramental life of the Catholic Church. Those who know them have judged them to be sincere in their desire. During the period of preparation they continue to reflect on the mystery of their baptism and have come to appreciate more deeply the presence of Christ in their lives. They have shared the company of their brothers and sisters, joined with them in prayer, and endeavoured to follow Christ’s commands more perfectly. And so I am pleased to recognise their desire to participate fully in the sacramental life of the Church.

[To the Group] The Church recognises your desire to be sealed with the Holy Spirit and to have a place at Christ’s Eucharistic table. Join with us this Lent in a spirit of repentance. Hear the Lord’s call to conversion and be faithful to your baptismal covenant. Thanks be to God.

[To the congregation] My dear friends, I ask you to support these Candidates in faith, prayer and example as they prepare to participate more fully in the Church’s Sacraments. Be generous in your welcome and offer them a place in your hearts and in your communities. By ready, in turn, to be enriched by the gifts they may have to offer. May they see in you a love for the Church and a sincere desire for doing good. Lead them this Lent to the joys of the Easter mysteries.