PORTLAND — Nearly 200 catechumens and candidates will participate in the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion to be celebrated by Bishop Robert P. Deeley in Portland, Lewiston, Bangor and Caribou on Feb. 21-22, the first weekend of Lent.

During the Rite of Election, catechumens (those who have not been baptized in any faith) publicly express their desire for baptism to the bishop. Their names are recorded in the Book of the Elect, a designation which reflects that the bishop, in the name of the Lord and the local Church, is choosing or electing them to share in the Easter sacraments. Candidates (those who were baptized in other faiths) celebrate the Call to Continuing Conversion by professing their faith in and coming into full communion with the Catholic Church.

During the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion, parishes present the catechumens and the candidates to the bishop and the congregation. The catechumens and candidates affirm their desire to fully enter into the life of the Catholic Church. Godparents and sponsors are then asked by the bishop to affirm that the catechumens and candidates are sufficiently prepared to continue their faith journeys. The congregation, along with the godparents and sponsors, follow this testimony by pledging their support and prayers for those in preparation.

Celebrations will be held Saturday, Feb. 21, at Holy Rosary Church, Caribou, at 4 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 22, at St. John Church, Bangor, at 10:30 a.m., at Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul, Lewiston, at 3:30 p.m., and at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Portland, at 7 p.m.

After the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion, the catechumens and candidates will spend the season of Lent reflecting and preparing to be welcomed into the Church at Easter. The days of Lent are the final period of purification and enlightenment for catechumens and candidates, marked by prayer and study, and spiritual direction from the priests and parish teams with whom they work.

The Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation takes place during the Easter Vigil, held on Holy Saturday (April 4, 2015). The catechumens receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist, while the candidates complete their initiation by receiving the sacraments of Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist.