Welcome new Catholics at the Easter Vigil

Published: March 25, 2015

En Español

Catholic parishes across Arkansas will welcome an estimated 579 new Catholics into the Church during their Easter Vigil Masses on Holy Saturday, April 4. These people have participated in their parish's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process and fall into two groups: the elect and candidates.

The elect have not been baptized and have been formed in the Christian faith and life. At the Easter Vigil, they will be baptized, confirmed and receive their first Communion. Candidates are baptized members of other Christian churches who wish to become Catholic.

During the Easter Vigil, they will make a profession of faith, be confirmed and receive their first Communion. If there are any elect and/or candidates entering the Church through your parish, we invite you to introduce yourself and welcome them to your parish community. The list of all those entering the Church may be found in the April 4 issue of Arkansas Catholic. 

To learn more about the RCIA process, visit RCIA Q&A or study the RCIA Steps. To learn about Catholicism, see the following resources that explain the Catholic faith. For more information, contact the Office of Faith Formation at (501) 664-0340.

• Catholicism 101 — Provides answers to the most common questions about Catholic teaching.
• Understanding Our Church — A series of articles that explain the faith on a variety of topics.
• Bishop Taylor Homily Library — Sermons given by the leader of the Catholic faith in Arkansas that explain the Scriptures, Catholic doctrine and what the Church teaches on social and moral issues.
• What We Believe — Resource page that offers links to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the governing body of the Catholic Church in America, on what the Church teaches on the Bible, social teachings, love and sexuality, morality and much more.