LEWISTON – The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland will hold a special celebration at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul to welcome those who wish to become full members of the Catholic Church.

Bishop Richard J. Malone will preside over the Rites of Election in Lewiston and at three other parishes beginning Saturday.

About 340 people from throughout the Diocese are in the formal process of becoming baptized or preparing for full communion in the Catholic faith.

The entire parish membership is also called to pray for and support those who wish to join the Catholic Church.

The process of passage into the Catholic community usually takes one to two years so that catechumens and candidates have the opportunity to experience an entire church year in order to make an informed decision regarding conversion.

Other Rites of Election will be held Saturday during the 4 p.m. Mass at Holy Rosary Parish in Caribou; at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland; and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at St. John Parish in Bangor.