RITE OF CANDIDACY AND RITE OF SENDING

August 7, 2024 at 9:20 a.m.

Candidate Franklin Anyanechi, center, embraces Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger following the Rite of Candidacy and the Rite of Sending on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, at Holy Trinity Church in Cohoes, N.Y. Joining them are seminarian Vantuan Cao, left, and candidate Samuel Zuze, right. Cindy Schultz for The Evangelist **(CINDY SCHULTZ)**

Seminarian Vantuan Cao (c.) sings during the Rite of Candidacy and the Rite of Sending on Aug. 1 at Holy Trinity Church in Cohoes. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(CINDY SCHULTZ)**

Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger blesses candidates and seminarians during the Rite of Candidacy and the Rite of Sending on Aug. 1 at Holy Trinity Church in Cohoes. From left are candidates Samuel Zuze, Zephyrinus Ogbenna and Franklin Anyanechi, and seminarians Alessio Fasullo, Gilbert Kimaro, Vantuan Cao and Alexander Turpin. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(CINDY SCHULTZ)**

Candidate Samuel Zuze receives congratulations from seminarian Gilbert Kimaro following the Rite of Candidacy and the Rite of Sending on Aug. 1 at Holy Trinity Church in Cohoes. Joining them are candidates Franklin Anyanechi (l.) and Zephyrinus Ogbenna (second from r.)and seminarian Vantuan Cao. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(CINDY SCHULTZ)**

Candidates Samuel Zuze (from l.) Zephyrinus Ogbenna and Franklin Anyanechi are shown during their Rite of Candidacy on Aug. 1 at Holy Trinity Church in Cohoes. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(CINDY SCHULTZ)**

Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger applauds candidates Franklin Anyanechi (from l.) Zephyrinus Ogbenna and Samuel Zuze during their Rite of Candidacy on Aug. 1 at Holy Trinity Church in Cohoes. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(CINDY SCHULTZ)**

Candidates Samuel Zuze (second from l.) and Franklin Anyanechi talk with parishioner Stephen Crouchley at a reception following the Rite of Candidacy and the Rite of Sending on Aug. 1 at Holy Trinity Church in Cohoes. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(CINDY SCHULTZ)**

A Rite of Sending and Rite of Candidacy was held Aug. 1 at Holy Trinity Church in Cohoes with Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger presiding. Rite of Candidacy is an official rite that the Bishop performs which officially and publicly accepts men for formal studies for the priesthood. The Rite of Sending is also a service of blessing on men who will be returning to seminary studies or beginning seminary.