Dioceses across the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) region celebrated the Rite of Election service on Sunday, 22 February 2026, marking a decisive moment in the journey of faith for catechumens and candidates preparing for full initiation into the Catholic Church.

At a service held at the Cathedral of Christ the King, thousands gathered as the Archbishop of Johannesburg presided and delivered a homily centred on prayer, humility, and closeness to God. Addressing catechumens and candidates directly, Cardinal Stephen Brislin urged them “to be people of prayer” and “to be near to God,” reminding them that authentic Christian life is rooted in a living relationship with Christ.

“It is truly wonderful to be with you this afternoon,” Cardinal Brislin said, welcoming the diversity of the Archdiocese gathered as one community of faith. He expressed deep gratitude to catechists, sponsors, parish priests, and pastoral workers who accompany those preparing for the sacraments, describing their mission of handing on the faith as “precious and dear to us.”

A journey towards new life in Christ

In his reflection, the Cardinal explained the distinction between catechumens and candidates. “The catechumens,” said the Cardinal, “are those who have not been given a baptism that is recognised by the Catholic Church. In other words, it must be a baptism in which water is used, and the pronouncement of a Triune God is made — ‘I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.’”

He added that those without such a recognised baptism were present for this sacred moment, “and their names will be written in the Book of the Elect and, God willing, at the feast of Easter, at the Easter Vigil, they will be baptised, confirmed, and receive Holy Communion.”

“The candidates, on the other hand,” the Cardinal continued, “are those who are coming into the Catholic Church from other churches in which they have been given a recognised baptism.” He explained that they differ from catechumens in that “they are already following the path of Christianity,” as they now prepare to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church.

Reflecting on the Book of Genesis, Cardinal Brislin emphasised that life comes from God alone. “God is the origin,” he said, reminding the faithful that every form of life is a gift, calling for deep reverence and responsibility. This belief, he noted, has practical consequences: respect for life, ethical living, and a rejection of the temptation to place oneself at the centre instead of God.

He warned against the human tendency to pride, self-sufficiency, and the refusal to accept responsibility for one’s actions, recalling the story of Adam and Eve. True conversion, he said, begins when a person takes responsibility for their life and recognises their need for a Saviour. “It is when we realise our weakness and our frailty that we realise how much we need Christ,” he said.

Prayer, vigilance and Christian witness

Cardinal Brislin underlined that the Christian life is not easy, but it is sustained by grace. He spoke of the many “false gods” that can draw believers away from God — wealth, materialism, power, and technology — and called on the faithful to remain vigilant.

“Christians are called to be people of prayer,” he said, stressing that a deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the heart of the spiritual life. “The essence of a spiritual life is to be close to God, to be near to God.”

He further highlighted the importance of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, as sources of grace that strengthen believers to live ethical, moral, and virtuous lives in a world often marked by lawlessness and moral confusion.

The meaning of the Rite of Election

The Rite of Election is the second major rite in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and marks the catechumens’ final stage of preparation for full communion with Christ and His Church. Concluding his homily, Cardinal Brislin encouraged the catechumens and candidates not to see their initiation as merely passing through rituals, but as the beginning of a lifelong journey of Christian living.

“When we fail, as we all do,” he said, “we do not give up. We turn to God, we repent, we reconcile, and we begin again. Our hope is in Christ. He is the source of all hope.”