My dear brothers and sisters to be baptised, our catechumens, today you become the ‘elect’ to walk together to baptism.

Today the Church rejoices with you as we see the Church increase in members. Today we pray for you and promise to accompany you towards the great celebration of Easter and the rising of Christ from the dead after his suffering and passion.

The reading from the Book of Samuel describes the call of the young Samuel who has been ministering in the temple from a young age. Samuel hears a voice calling him. He replies ‘Here I am’. He thinks it is his priest and teacher Eli calling him, but it is not. A second and third time he hears the call. Then Eli recognises that it is the voice of the Lord. He tells Samuel to go and listen and to say in response, ‘Speak, Lord for your servant hears’. Samuel needs his teacher Eli to help him discern the voice of God.

I thank those who have helped our catechumens and candidates to discern the call of the Lord Jesus is your lives. I invite you now during this season of Lent to listen to the Lord speaking to you in prayer, in the word of the scriptures, at Mass.

Just as it took three attempts for Samuel to hear the voice of Lord, so too we need to attune ourselves and persevere. For this, we need space and time and a quiet place. We might find beautiful music helpful but them we must listen and pray, ‘Speak Lord your servant is listening’. Ask Jesus for the grace that you need.

Dear friends, at your baptism you will called, ‘the beloved of the Lord’ Ponder this title and rejoice in it. My brothers and sisters who prepare for confirmation and the Eucharist, you are the Beloved of the Lord. Listen deeply to this title and know how much you are loved by God. Your names are written in letters of love on the heart of Jesus.

By Baptism we are members of the Church, the Body of Christ. Baptism is a call to love and the service of others as we heard in the gospel passage. Jesus says, ‘This is my commandment, that you love another as I have loved you.’ You are called to live out this love in your daily life. It is a call to a vocation in Christ which is led and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Pray daily for the help of the Holy Spirit. I have given you this prayer on the prayer card. The other side shows the Cathedral full of God’s holy people for my installation as Archbishop.

You are or will be part of this Body and called the Body of Christ, God’s Holy People. Faithfully receive Holy Communion and be strengthened by the Body and Blood of Christ. Live in him.

Each of you has in the words of St John Henry Newman received a call, given a definite service in the life of the Church. Live the life of love faithfully in your daily lives. Jesus has called chosen you and appointed you to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last.’ Bear much fruit – the fruits of the Holy Spirit: they are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity.

Live justice and truth to build peace in the world. In this way you will bear witness to Christ and be like leaven in the world, helping to do God’s work and build his Kingdom.

May God bless you call.