The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) stipulates that on the 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of Lent it is customary to perform three scrutinies of the catechumens (now called Elect) who are preparing to receive all three sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. During these rituals the Gospels of the woman at the well, the healing of the man born blind, and the raising of Lazarus are read in order to accentuate the scrutinizing of the Elect preparing for baptism. A scrutiny is a brief rite that serves as a way of ritually assessing one’s readiness for baptism. We pray a series of exorcism prayers in order to deliver the elect from the power of sin and Satan, to protect them against temptation and to give them strength in Christ. At its core, the scrutinies are not about the sinfulness of the elect but about the overwhelming grace of God in Christ. Please continue to pray for all of the RCIA elect and candidates as they begin their final preparation for full reception into the Catholic Church during Easter.
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April 2024
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