2026 Rite of Election Form - The Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend

Please submit this Rite of Election information by Monday, January 19, 2026.

This registration page is for catechumens and candidates participating in the Rite of Election and Calling to Continuing Conversion.

Please consult the information and instructions that were sent out by the Office of Worship to help plan for these liturgies.

Parish registrations for catechumens and candidates.

Which Rite of Election will your parish attend?*
- Fort Wayne – Sunday, February 15 at St. Charles
- South Bend – Sunday, February 22 at St. Pius, Granger
Name and City of Parish*
OCIA Director Name*
NOTE: All communications to participants will be routed through the OCIA Director.
OCIA Director Email*
OCIA Director Phone Number*
Name of Parish Presenter (if different from OCIA Director)*
This person will be seated apart from the catechumens and candidates, and will read all the parish’s OCIA names aloud during the liturgy.
Name of Presenter of the Book of the Elect*
Must be a separate person from the Parish Presenter. *Only parishes with catechumens should bring a Book of the Elect, and it must be signed by all catechumens before the rite.* (If you have no catechumens, just put “none” here.)
PARTICIPANTS IN THE RITE OF ELECTION/CALLING TO CONTINUING CONVERSION
Please provide final numbers for your parish in each of the following categories.
Number of Adult Catechumens (Age 14+)*
Catechumens will be baptized this Easter. Their participation is required, as they are designated members of the elect at the Rite of Election. A godparent must also accompany each catechumen to the rite.
Number of Adult Candidates for Full Communion (Age 14+)*
These candidates are those who are already baptized non-Catholic and are entering the Catholic Church this spring. They should attend if at all possible. A sponsor must also accompany each of these candidates to the rite.
Number of Adults Baptized Catholic But Never Catechized*
This category is for those Catholic adults who will be confirmed this spring. These individuals should also be invited to the Calling to Continuing Conversion. A sponsor must also accompany each of these candidates to this rite.
Number of Younger Catechumens (Age 7-13) Attending Rite of Election*
NOTE: The *only* children permitted to attend the Rite of Election are those with either their whole family or at least one parent also going through the OCIA rites.
Number of Younger Candidates for Full Communion (Age 7-13) Attending Calling to Continuing Conversion*
NOTE: The *only* children permitted to attend the Calling to Continuing Conversion are those with either their whole family or at least one parent also going through the OCIA rites.
Special Needs
Please list any special seating needs or considerations we should take into account (e.g., wheelchairs, etc.). Please be as specific as possible.
OCIA MEMBERS NOT ATTENDING
So that we can provide complete and accurate 2025-26 OCIA information from the diocese for the national statistics, please provide any numbers for the following groups who will not attend the Rite of Election/Calling to Continuing Conversion.
Number of Catechumens age 7-13 not attending*
Number of Candidates age 7-13 not attending*
Number of Candidates for Full Communion who have already entered the Church*
Members of the 2025-26 OCIA class already received into full communion since the summer.
Number of Adult Catholic Candidates who are not attending or who have already gotten confirmed*
Any Catholic adult Confirmation candidates in the 2025-26 OCIA class who won’t be at these rites.
Any Others Not Attending
Please convey if there are other OCIA members who will complete initiation this year but are unable to attend the Rite of Election/Calling to Continuing Conversion.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE RITE OF ELECTION/CALLING TO CONTINUING CONVERSION

OCIA MEMBERS NOT ATTENDING