Jay St. John was an atheist with “no faith whatsoever” when he went searching for something more.
“He came to me one day and said, ‘I want to go to church,’” Tori St. John, his wife, recalled. “I said. ‘OK … let’s go here.’”
The couple started attending Holy Family in Davidsonville. Although Jay had attempted going to church a few years earlier, this time felt different.
“It felt like I was supposed to be here,” Jay St. John said. “The welcoming we both felt, I loved. In a world that’s falling apart, it’s so nice.”
The two were not alone in their wish to be welcomed fully into the Catholic faith.
The archdiocese reported that 320 catechumens – those like Jay St. John who have not been baptized – and 458 candidates – those who are baptized but have not received one or more of the sacraments of initiation – participated in the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion liturgy at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland on March 9.
Hailing from 52 parishes as well as the University of Maryland Baltimore County, all are scheduled to receive one or more of the sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation and holy Communion) during Easter Vigil Masses across the archdiocese, depending on their individual faith journey.
This year’s group of candidates and catechumens has grown by more than 100 from last year, reflecting a significant rise in the number of people seeking entry into the Catholic Church locally.
“Pope Francis has declared 2025 to be a jubilee year dedicated to hope,” Archbishop William E. Lori said in his homily. “Candidates and catechumens, in presenting yourselves today in freedom and in joy, as candidates for baptism and reception into the church, you are making a profound act of hope.”
Catechumens from each parish heard their names read aloud as they walked down the cathedral’s main aisle to stand before Archbishop Lori as he signed the Book of Elect, where each catechumen’s name was listed. Once the book was signed, the catechumens became known as the elect.
The archbishop then asked both the catechumens, their godparents and the community a series of questions regarding their wishes and intentions.
Candidates and their sponsors then approached the sanctuary and stood in the aisle to be affirmed by the archbishop. They, too, were asked questions.
“Somewhere along the way, the Holy Spirit touched your heart and opened your mind,” Archbishop Lori said. “As the grace of the Holy Spirit began to work in your hearts, maybe even before you were aware of it, you were being prepared to discover and to encounter Christ.”
He noted that everyone’s journey is different, and that the road ahead would be challenging.
“Sharing the Gospel with others, evangelizing, isn’t always easy. Some hearts are closed to Christ, including sometimes those who are closest to us,” Archbishop Lori said, “Yet we can never go wrong in allowing our light to shine before others.”
For Alecia Herald, a catechumen from Our Lady of Hope in Dundalk, the path to Catholicism began more than a year ago when her best friend introduced her to the faith. Raised Southern Baptist, Herald had a difficult relationship with her father. But through Mass and regular prayer, she found the strength and mercy to care for him during his battle with cancer, ultimately repairing their relationship.
“He apologized for everything we went through,” Herald said, getting emotional about her late father.” “(God) allowed me to be with my dad. It was the first time in my adult life I really saw God’s work.”
Others found inspiration in the beauty and solemnity of the Rite of Election.
David Allport, a candidate from St. Jane Frances de Chantal in Pasadena who is converting from Methodism, was struck by the grandeur of the cathedral and the significance of the moment.
“This is the first time I’ve ever been here,” he said. “It is so moving, the cathedral itself.”
For Madison Riemer, 18, a catechumen from St. Joseph in Fullerton, the call to Catholicism came during a time of personal struggle.
“I was troubled before,” she said. “God has helped me. Faith has really changed my life.”
Well before the 3 p.m. start of the bilingual liturgy, cars streamed into the cathedral’s massive parking lots. Inside, a sense of excitement and anticipation filled the air as more than 1,500 people gathered, leaving the church packed to standing room only.
As Archbishop Lori addressed the assembly, he reflected on the significance of their journey.
Discovering Christ, following Christ and sharing Christ are acts of hope made possible by the grace of the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the church, the archbishop said in his homily.
He encouraged the catechumens and candidates to embrace their calling despite the challenges that may come.
“To see so many of you, friendly, willing and able to accept the call of Christ and his church gives me joy,” the archbishop said.
Email Katie Jones at kjones@CatholicReview.org
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