By John Rohlf, The Message assistant editor
For the second consecutive year, the Diocese of Evansville saw a substantial increase in both catechumens and candidates that will be welcomed into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.
Bishop Joseph M. Siegel celebrated the Rite of Election of Catechumens and Calling Candidates to Continuing Conversion Feb. 22 at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville. This year, the diocese has 172 catechumens and 175 candidates. This year’s combined total of 347 is a one-year increase of 99 that will be welcomed into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. Last year, the diocese had 118 catechumens and 130 candidates. The combined number of catechumens and candidates has more than doubled from 2024 to 2026.
At the end of the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion, Bishop Siegel said as the bishop, it is a special joy to see St. Benedict Cathedral full of the elect and candidates. It is a sign that the Holy Spirit is so active and alive in our parishes throughout the diocese. He assured them of his prayers in the coming weeks as the catechumens and candidates prepare for the Easter sacraments.
Parishes from across the Diocese of Evansville presented their catechumens and candidates, with sponsors joining the catechumens and candidates during the presentation Feb. 22. Bishop Siegel received the catechumens first and then the candidates, who were presented by representatives of their parish.
During the Easter Vigil, catechumens will be baptized, confirmed and receive the Eucharist. Candidates are those who will be confirmed and receive the Eucharist.
During his homily, Bishop Siegel said Feb. 22 was a profound day of joy for the diocese. In the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion, they came forward to declare their desire to become members of the Catholic Church. Bishop Siegel said as the catechumens and candidates expressed their desire to enter more fully into the Catholic Church and be sealed with the Holy Spirit, the church through the celebration recognized and affirmed that Jesus Christ has chosen them, they responded to the call and have set their face toward the Easter sacraments.
In the gospel reading at the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion, Jesus gives the command to abide in him. Bishop Siegel said abiding involves more than attending church, but is cultivating a continuous relationship with Jesus through prayer, the sacraments and involvement in the parish community. He noted they are preparing to receive the Holy Eucharist, which is the most profound way of abiding in Jesus and Jesus abiding in them. While the earth offers many vines, such as wealth, success, popularity and self-reliance, Jesus says apart from him, you can do nothing, Bishop Siegel said.
Bishop Siegel said on Feb. 22, the catechumens and candidates were making a public, deliberate decision to cut themselves off from the false vines that wither and to graft themselves to the true vine, Jesus Christ. He said they proclaimed that they want his life to fill their life, his strength to be their strength and his purpose to be their purpose.
Bishop Siegel referenced scripture, which says the vine grower prunes the branches that bear fruit so they will bear more fruit. He said this can often be the hardest part of the journey of faith because pruning hurts and it can feel like God is taking something good or precious. He said if God does not prune to punish, he prunes to increase our capacity for joy. During this Lenten season, that pruning may come through fasting, through giving up comfort, to the sacrifice of time and resources to serve others or through the painful struggle of changing old sinful habits, he said.
Bishop Siegel encouraged everyone to let these acts become an offering to God. He said the pruning is necessary to remove what is dead, so the life of Christ can flow through you more fully. They are called to abide in his love by keeping his commandments, especially the command to love another. Their election is not just about belonging, but is about becoming fruitful members of Christ’s body, Bishop Siegel said.
Bishop Siegel said as Catholics, their lives will be dedicated to service, sharing the gospel and living their faith in charity. He said they will be called to take what they’ve encountered in Christ and the church, and share with others as missionary disciples. The catechumens and candidates are being welcomed into a story of salvation that began long before them, for which God has chosen to continue through them as they move towards the Easter Vigil. Bishop Siegel encouraged them to remain in and trust in Jesus.
Bishop Siegel said the journey to the sacraments over the next several weeks is not just a series of ceremonies, but is a process of preparing for the life-giving union with Christ, especially in the Holy Eucharist. He encouraged fellow Catholics to hold the catechumens and candidates in prayer, that we and they be branches as they attach to the vine, producing the fruits of the spirit, such as love, joy, peace, patience and kindness, to the glory of God the Father.