Chapter 11

ocia ic

OCIA

Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion

The Church provides a process to join its community of believers called the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA). This process of spiritual formation contains several rites, including the Rite of Election, which is presided by the bishop and held at the opening of the Lenten season. In this rite, those who have never been baptized, known as “catechumens,” are “elected” by God to receive the sacraments of Christian initiation at Easter. Also participating are “candidates,” those who were baptized but have yet to receive their First Communion or confirmation. The Rite of Election brings catechumens and candidates from their individual parishes together in a large, joyous celebration of new followers of Jesus Christ.

A diverse group of people are gathered in a church, some standing and some seated. A cross is visible on the wall behind them.

Parish Reservation

Reservation Deadline: January 5, 2024

The celebration of the 2025 Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion, will take place the weekend of March 8-9, 2025. In order to accommodate the large number of attendees for our annual event, we will be holding five ceremonies. Four celebrations will take place at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in San Diego County and one at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Imperial County. Each parish will have the choice to select their preferred time slot; however, please note that there is limited capacity for each celebration.


Registration is first come, first serve. 

Reservations have ended.

Fri. Mar. 7-6 PM
Sat. Mar 8-11:00 am
Sat. Mar. 8-1:00 pm
Sat. Mar. 8-3:00 pm
Sun. Mar. 9-1:00 pm
Sun. Mar. 9-3:00 pm

Guidance for Parishes

Rite of Election Guidance for Pastors and OCIA Coordinators

December 2024

Order of Service – Imperial Valley Rite of Election

Order of Service English IV 2025
Order of Service Spanish IV 2025

Order of Service — San Diego Rite of Election

Order of Service English SD 2025
Order of Service Spanish SD 2025

Guidance for parishes NOT participating in the Diocesan Rite of Election

OCIA DATES 2025
Guidance for Rite of Sending for parishes & Guidance for Parishes NOT participating in the Diocesan ROE
Order of Service for Rite of Election at a Parish - First Sunday of Lent

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the event be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend?

No, livestream is not available.

All parishes that registered for the Rite of Election will receive a confirmation email the week of February 10, 2025. The confirmation will be sent to the email submitted during registration and will designate your ceremony time.

Yes, an Order of Service in English and Spanish will be available on our website for individuals to download.

Please contact the Office for Evangelization and Catechetical Ministry to obtain a book. The cost is $40.

Parishes will not have assigned seats, rather, they will be assigned a section area.

Yes, a ticket will be provided detailing the ceremony time and assigned seating section area.

SAN DIEGO-The designated area for buses to drop off and pick up is located in front of Good Shepherd Catholic School at 8180 Gold Coast Drive.


IMPERIAL VALLEY– The designated area for buses to drop off and pick up is located on S G Street, on the West side of St. Anthony’s Parish.

No. Group pictures will not be scheduled this year. A designated photographer will take pictures of each ceremony and these will be posted on our website www.sdcatholic.org/roe and on our social media platforms- www.facebook.com/sddisciples and www.instagram.com/oecmsd

No, seating will only be available inside the church.

Guidance, resources and a script will be provided for you.

No, there is no cost for parishes to participate in the Diocesan Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion.

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Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego

About the Coat of Arms

Bishop Pulido’s coat of arms is divided into four quarters with wavy horizontal lines from top to bottom. The blue and white lines represent the Blessed Virgin Mary. They also suggest water, which alludes to Jesus washing the feet of His disciples and to the waters of baptism. The red and gold lines represent the Holy Spirit and fire. The colors also can be seen as referring to the Blood that (along with water) poured from Jesus’ side at His crucifixion, as well as to the bread (gold) and wine (red) transformed into the Eucharist. At the center is a roundel featuring a symbolic representation of the “mandatum” (washing of the feet), which he believes exemplifies service to all humanity. The roundel’s outer edge is a line composed of small humps; it is borrowed from the coat of arms of the Diocese of Yakima, where Bishop Pulido served as a priest before being named a bishop.

About the Coat of Arms

Bishop Pham’s coat of arms depicts a red boat on a blue ocean, which is crisscrossed by diagonal lines suggesting a fisherman’s net. This symbolizes his ministry as a “fisher of men,” as well as how his own father had been a fisherman. The boat is also a symbol of the Church, which is often referred to as the “barque of Peter.” At the center of the sail is a red beehive (a symbol of the bishop’s baptismal patron saint, St. John Chrysostom, who was known as a “honey-tongued” preacher). The beehive is surrounded by two green palm branches (an ancient symbol of martyrdom; the bishop’s ancestors were among Vietnam’s first martyrs). The eight red tongues of fire around the boat are a symbol of the Holy Spirit and a representation of the diversity of ethnic and cultural communities. The red of the boat, the beehive and the tongues of fire allude to the blood of the martyrs.

About the Coat of Arms

The coat of arms combines symbols that reflect Bishop Bejarano’s spiritual life and priestly ministry. The main part of the shield shows four wavy vertical lines on a gold background. These represent flowing waters. This alludes to his chosen motto and also symbolizes the graces that come from the Divine life to quench our thirst for God. The upper third of the shield is red because it is borrowed from the coat of arms of the Order of Mercy, of which the Bishop’s patron saint, Raymond Nonnatus, was a member. The central symbol resembles a monstrance because St. Raymond is often depicted holding one. The Eucharist is Bishop Bejarano’s inspiration for his vocation. It was through the Eucharist that he received his call to the priesthood at age seven and which keeps his faith and his ministry going. It represents the call to offer oneself as a living sacrifice. The monstrance is flanked on either side by an image of the Sacred Heart, alluding to the mercy of God and echoing the idea of a sacrificial offering of oneself united to the sacrifice of Christ, and of a rose for Our Lady. It is an allusion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, and highlights the bishop’s Hispanic heritage.

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