Posted February 23, 2016

People preparing to enter the Catholic Church fully this Easter got a welcome from Archbishop Charles Chaput during a Rite of Election liturgy Saturday, Feb. 13 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. and Paul, Philadelphia. The afternoon Liturgy of the Word welcomed catechumens (non-Catholics who will be baptized into the Christian faith) and candidates (those baptized Christians who will receive the sacrament of holy Eucharist and full communion with the church) from Delaware County and Philadelphia-North. Each person met Archbishop Chaput and received a blessing. The archbishop met catechumens and candidates from other regions of the Philadelphia Archdiocese at two liturgies Feb. 13 and one on Feb. 14 at the cathedral. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

Archbishop Chaput welcomes candidate Mariana from Saint Anastasia Church in Newtown Square.

Archbishop Chaput welcomes candidate Mariana from St. Anastasia Parish in Newtown Square.

Archbishop Chaput receives those entering the Church.

Archbishop Chaput receives those preparing to enter the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday night at their parishes.

Representitives of the parishes present the books of names of those to be welcomed in to the Church.

Representatives of the parishes present the books of names of those to be welcomed into the church.

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Catechumen Jeff from Saint Eugene Parish in Primos

Catechumen Jeff from St. Eugene Parish in Primos meet the archbishop.

Archbishop Chaput welcomes Leah from Saint Eugene Parish in Primos, Delaware County.

Archbishop Chaput welcomes Leah from St. Eugene Parish in Primos, Delaware County.

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Archbishop Chaput welcomes catechumen Briana from Saint Barbara in Philadelphia to the Church.

Archbishop Chaput welcomes catechumen Briana from St. Barbara Parish in West Philadelphia.

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Stewart McArdle from Nativity B.V.M. Parish in Media

Stewart McArdle from Nativity B.V.M. Parish in Media

Ava White from Saint Rose of Lima Church in Eddystone is welcomed by the Archbishop as she prepares to enter the Church.

Ava White from St. Rose of Lima Parish in Eddystone, Delaware County, is welcomed by the archbishop as she prepares to enter the Catholic Church at Easter.

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The names of those to be received in to the Church are presented to the Archbishop.

The names of those to be received into the church from each parish of Delaware County and Philadelphia-North are presented to the archbishop.

The names of those to be received in to the Church are presented to the Archbishop.

The names of those to be received into the church are presented to the archbishop and prayer over by the congregation at the cathedral.

Candidate Amanda from Saint Dorothy in Drexel Hill

Candidate Amanda from St. Dorothy Parish in Drexel Hill meets the archbishop.