The 824 people in The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington who are preparing to become full members of the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil this year come from different backgrounds, but this Lent they are preparing to join the same family of faith.
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception hosted candidates and catechumens on March 6, the First Sunday of Lent, as they participated in the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion led by Cardinal Wilton Gregory. On March 13, Washington’s archbishop will also lead that rite as the archdiocese’s remaining catechumens and candidates are welcomed as they continue their faith journeys.
Both catechumens and candidates are preparing to receive their Sacraments of Initiation during the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday, April 16. The distinction between the two is that catechumens have not yet been baptized, while candidates have been baptized as Catholics or in other Christian faiths and desire to come into full communion with the Catholic Church.
At the Rite of Election, catechumens are recognized as elect, in preparation for them being baptized and also receiving the sacraments of Confirmation and Communion at the Easter Vigil.
At the Call to Continuing Conversion, already baptized candidates are recognized as they are preparing to receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Communion at the Easter Vigil.
Neema Ambe is a 12-year-old candidate to receive her First Communion and the sacrament of Confirmation, since she already received the sacrament of Baptism. With her sponsor unable to attend the liturgy, Ambe’s parents stepped in for the event. Ambe said her family has helped her throughout this journey.
“I like that they are supportive, and they are always easy to talk to,” Ambe said.
Ambe’s father, Pius Ambe, and his wife, Bridget, are Catholics. Pius received all his sacraments as a child, but Bridget was raised a Presbyterian and went through the initiation process six years ago with her two older children. Becoming Catholic was not only a personal decision for Bridget, it was a decision for the family.
“Since my husband was already Catholic, and I come from a Presbyterian family, and in our tradition, the woman joins together with the male and his family and they become one family,” Bridget Ambe said.
Pius Ambe said he is excited to watch his daughter, Neema, become the final member of his family to complete the sacraments. He noted that being Catholic and being from Cameroon has created community for his family.
“Growing up, I went to a Catholic school, Sacred Heart College back in Africa, in Cameroon, where we are originally from. We are very engaged in the community, both at our parish at St. Joseph’s [in Largo, Maryland], but we also have a Cameroonian community at the Church of the Resurrection (in Burtonsville) where I am the chairperson and my kids [altar] serve there as well,” Pius Ambe said.
Nody Vallecillo, a catechumen who is originally from Honduras, has been a member of St. Mary’s Parish in Landover Hills for about three years. When asked why she chose to continue in the process of joining the church in the last year, Vallecillo said, “I visit the church, and when I visit I feel at peace, and they have told me that when you receive the sacraments, you feel an even bigger peace, and I want to experience it.”
Vallecillo attended weekly meetings to further her relationship with the Church as she anticipates receiving the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
“Since last September, we started last year. Every week, every Sunday we go at 11 o’clock, it’s an hour and a half, and then to Mass. And I am in an additional course, in addition to the RCIA classes, to learn more about the Word of God,” Vallecillo said.
