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On Saturday 21 February, Canon Jonathan Martin presided at the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion at Arundel Cathedral, gathering with catechumens, candidates, godparents, sponsors and families from across the Diocese. For the first time in many years, the numbers of people attending led to two celebrations being held over the course of the day, with more than 500 people attending each liturgy.

The Rite of Election is celebrated each year at the start of Lent, and is an important step on the journey of our catechumens and candidates on the path to receiving the sacraments of initiation at Easter. This year, the numbers attending give a clear insight into the missional life of our parishes, with more than 250 adults representing 35 communities from across Sussex and Surrey coming together to commit themselves to share fully in the Church’s sacraments.

Of those present, over 130 were catechumens - unbaptised adults preparing for Baptism - and over 125 were candidates, who are baptised Christians seeking Full Communion with the Catholic Church. Sponsors and godparents stood alongside them as their names were called, accompanying them in this step of faith.

In numerical terms, the 2026 cohort represents a more than 20% increase from 2025’s numbers.

In his homily, Canon Jonathan, recently elected Diocesan Administrator, described the Rite of Election as one of the most significant days of our Diocese each year, reminding those gathered that similar celebrations are taking place not only twice on that day in Arundel, but in every Catholic cathedral around the world, on this weekend.

Canon Jonathan acknowledged the growing numbers of adults finding their way to the Catholic Church but emphasised the true meaning of the day isn’t about numbers:

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“You are, each of you, an individual, willed by God, created by God, called by God to be His own. And it is in being His own, and claimed as His own, becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ, that, as human beings, we truly discover the fullness of our dignity.”

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Encouraging those preparing to receive the sacraments at Easter to continue on their journey of discipleship, he urged them to spend time with Scripture:

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“There is always something fresh, always something new, often something challenging, often something affirming, but always a personal word that God has for us through the Scriptures for each and every day of our lives.”

“You are being called to follow the person of Jesus Christ. ‘Follow Me,’ says the Lord. ‘Follow Me.’”

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During the service, each Catechumen signed the Book of the Elect, the primary symbolic action of the rite.

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You can read Canon Jonathan’s homily in full by clicking the button below. Photographs from the celebration will be uploaded to the diocesan Flickr feed shortly.