During the rite of election the church formally announces the names of those who will soon celebrate the sacraments of initiation. Usually the rite of election takes place at the cathedral with the bishop on the First Sunday of Lent, and those who are named will celebrate baptism, confirmation, and first communion at their parishes during the following Easter Vigil. These individuals enter the cathedral as catechumens and leave as elect. The ceremony may also be called enrollment of names.
Election refers to the idea of the chosen people.
In Israel s early history, God chose a people and established a covenant with them. Christians believe that God continues to choose people, now through the covenant of baptism. The rite of election thus establishes the names of those who will enter the new covenant through the sacraments of initiation. The key moments of the rite are the affirmation by the godparents and the act of admission or election. In the affirmation, the godparents testify that the catechumens are worthy to be initiated.