This ancient rite of the Catechumenate for Adults, comprising several distinct steps toward a person’s new life of grace by Baptism, was restored by Pope Paul VI. The period of the catechumenate, which is intended as a time to learn and live out the Christian faith, is sanctified by sacred rites to be celebrated at successive intervals. It is important that these rites be celebrated among the entire parish community as we come together to accept and encourage our new brothers and sisters into our ecclesial family.
- The First Scrutiny of the Elect on Sunday, March 23 - 10:00 a.m. Mass
- The Second Scrutiny of the Elect on Saturday, March 29 – 4:30 p.m. Mass
- The Third Scrutiny of the Elect on Sunday, April 6 – 10:00 a.m. Mass
What are the Scrutinies?
On the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent, the newly named “Elect” participate in three successive rites called “the Scrutinies.” These rites, with roots dating back to the early Church, take place during the Sunday Mass, each thematically linked to the Gospel reading for that Mass. The Gospels as well as the prayers associated with each Rite are powerful depictions of the hidden transformation God accomplishes in the Elect through each Scrutiny. Each proclamation emphasizes repentance and conversion as the Light of Christ comes to pierce the darkness of sin and to bring life where there is death.
The “Elect” along with their sponsors, kneel before the celebrant and the assembly, who pray for them silently with a series of intercessions. It culminates in a prayer of cleansing and protection (exorcism) with the laying-on-of-hands. Each Scrutiny is a step in preparing the Elect for the celebration and initiation soon to come.
The Scrutinies are God’s way of taking a close, loving look at the Elect. God does not scrutinize the Catechumens in order to find what’s wrong with them but to celebrate all that’s beautiful, good, and true in them. Jesus “scrutinizes” us with Divine Light, revealing all that is valuable within each of us. He also reveals to us the ways in which we are hurting, or sick, or sinful. This is not to reject us, but to call us to new life and to healing.
May these Scrutinies call both our Elect and us into the living waters of baptism, to the light of holiness, to a new life in Christ, through His Resurrection. Please remember to keep the members of our OCIA and their families in your prayers this Lenten season. You may have noticed that there is a board with pictures of the adults seeking full initiation in the narthex, along with sheets of paper for you to take, printed with the names of these individuals along with a prayer.
God Bless,
