“You’re here today because someone walked with you and loved  you into the Church,” Bishop Edward Malesic told the crowd assembled in Cleveland Public Auditorium for the 2026 Rite of Election.

More than 1,000 candidates, catechumens, their godparents and sponsors gathered for the liturgy on Feb. 22. Catechumens are those who will be baptized, receive their first Communion and the sacrament of confirmation at the Easter Vigil on April 4, while candidates are already baptized. They will receive their first Communion and confirmation at the Easter Vigil. They represent 125 parishes and one school in the eight-county Diocese of Cleveland. Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost also participated in the liturgy, which was coordinated by Mary Hrich, director of the diocesan Office for Worship.

“This has become our sacred space,” the bishop said, noting the number of candidates and catechumens was so large once again that it exceeded the capacity of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. In addition to the candidates, catechumens, godparents and sponsors, many family members and friends attended the liturgy. The number of people being received into the Church this year is about 200 more than in 2025.

“This is a day of joy for all of us, a day of grace and a blessing for me,” Bishop Malesic said.

He shared his faith story with the congregation, explaining how he had doubts about the Church at one time, but he never stopped believing in Jesus.

“I knew about Jesus, but I didn’t know him,” he said. “But God never gave up on me and he won’t give up on you … Jesus came to give you and me life, a life in abundance, the life only he can give.”

The bishop recalled receiving a small Bible when he was in college. He decided to read it and it changed his life.

“I opened my heart to Jesus and when I did, he came rushing in … He came for me. He died for me. He wanted a relationship with me,” he said. “He awakened a faith within me that I didn’t know I had.”

His relationship with Jesus didn’t change overnight, the bishop explained. “He took his time with me, waiting for me to get there.” He credited “a very patient priest who walked that spiritual path” with him.

Bishop Malesic told the candidates and catechumens that Jesus will be there as they receive the sacraments. “He will be in the water of baptism; he will strengthen you in confirmation and he will give you his body in holy Communion … The wart of sin diminishes the beauty of the Church. That beauty is Jesus, who promised to be with us until the end of time.”

He described the Church as like a mother to us and called faith a great gift from God.

“Faith leads us to heaven, where our destiny is to be made into saints,” he added.

But faith isn’t easy, the bishop said. “It’s demanding and fragile and it can be lost … It has to be shown in our lives. Sometimes lifelong Catholics forget about faith, which is why you candidates and catechumens are such a gift to us. You help to wake us up and remind us that we have such a treasure in our faith … We can’t wait to share the table of the Lord with you.”

Referring to Scripture, Bishop Malesic said no one lights a lamp and hides it in a basket. A lamp is meant to be placed on a stand so its light can shine and be seen by all. The same is true for our faith. “Let’s not be a Church that hides the light. Put your faith in Jesus and he won’t disappoint.”

The bishop interjected a bit of humor in his remarks, reminding the faithful “to eat your fish sticks on Friday” as they observe Lent with the traditional prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

“Welcome to the Church that Jesus built,” he told the newly elected candidates and catechumens.

Those being received into the Church range in age from children to senior citizens. They have been preparing since last fall by participating in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.