WASHINGTON, DC — Nearly two-dozen aspiring Catholics affiliated with the United States Military affirmed their commitment to the faith during a Rite of Election in the Nation’s Capital on Feb. 22, 2026, the first Sunday of Lent. An overflow congregation celebrated the rite in the main chapel of the Edwin Cardinal O’Brien Pastoral Center, global headquarters of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, was the celebrant and homilist for the celebration, where 23 catechumens, surrounded by godparents, friends, and loved ones, signed the Book of the Elect, registering their intent to become Catholic through their reception of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
The 23 elect hail from U.S. Military installations around Washington, including Fort Meade, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Marine Corps Base Quantico, and the U.S. Naval Academy. “I come from an atheist background,” said Second Lieutenant Silas Krajniak, USMC. “Growing up, my mother was spiritual, Dad was a self-proclaimed atheist as well as myself, and over time somehow the Word of God found its way to my ears.” Midshipman Fourth Class Travis Garnett, USNA, grew up Baptist. Becoming Catholic, he said, “just seems the right decision for me.”
The Rite of Election is a decisive step in the formation process known as the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). In the OCIA, aspiring Catholics study the faith, reflect on Catholic teaching, and prayerfully discern their call to Catholicism. Airman First Class Jordan De Guzman, USAF, commented that for him, the Rite of Election “was quite emotional. I really did enjoy it”
“Never forget that baptism is the beginning of eternal life and the rest of the journey is a pilgrimage to its fullness in the presence of Almighty God,” Archbishop Broglio preached.
Reflecting on the Gospel reading, Matthew 4:1-11, wherein Jesus, after 40 days in the desert, renounces Satan’s three temptations while manifesting His obedience to God the Father, Archbishop Broglio observed:
“We could summarize the three temptations in the questions: what sort of Son is Jesus? As you are numbered among the elect: that question prepares you to answer a specific one for the next six weeks:
“What sort of Christian will you be once the excitement and longing of these weeks of preparation fade? Jesus helps you out with the ultimate response to the temptations of Satan: the will of God and the effective and correct use of His Word, the Sacred Scriptures….
“You and I do not miss the fact that Satan attempts to use the Old Testament for his devices, he perverts the Word of God by removing it from its context. Remember that the Sacred Scriptures always have a context from which they cannot be removed. Study helps us appreciate the context and the deeper meaning of the divine Word.
“Certainly, God speaks to us in His Word, but that application is usually very personal and helps us walk down a specific path. We cannot forego that guidance. It is too important.”
After giving the final blessing, Archbishop Broglio hosted a reception for those gathered.
As with other Catholic archdioceses and dioceses, the AMS celebrates the Rite of Election every year at Lent. The 23 completing the Rite in Washington on Sunday are not the only U.S. Military personnel becoming Catholic in 2026. Since it is practically impossible for all catechumens spread throughout this global Archdiocese to gather at one time in Washington, those serving outside the National Capital Region celebrated the rite in the local archdioceses or dioceses where they happen to be stationed at present.