SAN DIEGO — The number of people joining the Catholic Church in the San Diego Diocese has exceeded pre-pandemic levels.
“The amount of people coming to our faith, to our Church, is just incredible and so inspiring,” said Leticia Trent, director of the diocesan Office for Evangelization and Catechetical Ministry.
More than 1,630 catechumens and candidates will participate in the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion in March.
At the annual diocesan liturgy, those enrolled in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) process at local parishes are presented to the bishop and declared ready to receive the sacraments of initiation at their parish’s Easter Vigil.
Catechumens are unbaptized, while candidates are baptized Christians who have yet to receive First Communion or confirmation.
In 2020, for the last Rite of Election before the COVID-era lockdowns, there were 1,242 catechumens and candidates.
This year’s numbers also represent a significant increase from last year, when 1,284 joined the Church.
“These numbers reflect that our faith is alive and thriving,” Trent said.
In total, more than 4,850 people are expected to attend this year’s Rite of Election. This includes sponsors and godparents, parish OCIA team members, and a limited number of ticketed guests.
To accommodate them, the diocese will be holding six separate ceremonies –– one more than last year. The first will be held March 7 at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Imperial. Three will be held March 8 and two March 9, all at Good Shepherd Parish in Mira Mesa.
In the absence of Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, who will already be in Washington, D.C., preparing for his installation as archbishop of Washington, one of San Diego’s auxiliary bishops –– Ramón Bejarano, Michael Pham and Felipe Pulido — will preside over each liturgy.
Seventy-six parish communities will be represented at this year’s Rite of Election.
The largest groups will be coming from St. Mark Parish in San Marcos, with 19 catechumens and 75 candidates, and from St. Mary Parish in Escondido, with three catechumens and 77 candidates.
At the other end of the scale, the OCIA class at St. Brigid Parish in Pacific Beach consists of two candidates. St. Timothy Parish in Escondido has five candidates.
Trent isn’t sure how to explain the sizeable increase in catechumens and candidates, but theorizes that it could be “a reflection of what Cardinal (McElroy) and the bishops are doing.” She pointed to a diocesan emphasis on synodality, hospitality and inclusion.
Katy Resenbeck, of Guardian Angels Parish in Santee, was among the catechumens at last year’s Rite of Election.
“I was a bit nervous, but it was a welcoming environment and it was amazing to see, at that time, Cardinal McElroy,” she recalled. “I thought the whole thing was so historical and an ancient rite that I was blessed to be a part of.”
“It was even more special because my children got to participate with me in the whole experience,” said Resenbeck, whose husband, three children and mother also went through the OCIA process last year.
Resenbeck said that she did not “grow up with religion of any kind in my house.”
“It’s hard to explain God’s calling, but when you begin to hear it, you cannot ignore it,” she said. “I had many signs leading to the decision to join the Catholic Church. I knew in my heart I had to give my life to Jesus.”
She looked for ways to participate more at her parish, where she had started volunteering and taking classes as soon as she began OCIA.
Last October, she joined the parish staff. She’s currently the administrative assistant in the parish’s Faith Formation Office.
She began teaching catechism classes after completing the diocese’s Basic Catechist course.
“Everything just fell into place as soon as I let God’s will be done.”
