We have looked closely at the importance, meaning, and celebration of the scurtinies over several articles. The scrutinies, more than any other part of the Period of Purification and Enlightenment, prepare the elect for initiation. But what, exactly, does that mean? What will be the lasting impact of the scrutinies after the elect have been
What happens to the elect because of the scrutinies?
Over several articles, we have seen how profound the lenten scrutinies can be for your elect and your parish. We have explored how these rites are exercises in vision, letting the light of Christ reveal both what needs healing and what is already good. We have reframed the exorcism as a loving acclamation of victory
Empowering godparents for the scrutinies
Before you start siphoning out the water from your font, covering it, or filling it up with anything else for the season of Lent, let’s talk about whether or not that’s a good idea. In this short video, Diana looks at what the Church teaches about the season of Lent and the liturgical guidelines we
Should we remove holy water from the font during Lent?
In a previous article, we said that the scrutinies are not moments of “interrogation” but rather rituals of “encounter” and of light. And in another article, we looked at how the exorcisms are acclamations of God’s victory and love. In this article, we are going to look at why we do the scrutiny rites three
The scrutinies are a three-part story of conversion
In a previous article, we explored how the scrutinies are essentially an exercise in vision—letting the light of Christ in so the elect can see their lives and the world clearly. Once that light has revealed what needs healing, we naturally move from “seeing” to the primary “action” of the church: the exorcism. If the
Reclaiming the victory of the exorcism
As we mark the progression of Lent week by week, we may be finding that the practices of prayer, fasting, and doing works of charity are becoming more like habits, like automatically putting our coins into the “Mission Box” for organizations like Holy Childhood or Catholic Relief Services. Or intentionally avoiding the fridge on fasting
Fasting and Feasting: Preparing Hearts for the Easter Mysteries
Some experiences from my childhood have shaped my spirit and understanding of Lent. Once the solemn busyness of Ash Wednesday Mass was over, our family’s daily life in Lent was anything but normal. Our Lenten intentions of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving were posted on the refrigerator, and we strived to follow through, with Mom and
Q. Do the catechumens have to celebrate the scrutinies before they are baptized? A. Catechumens are required to participate in all three scrutinies, which are central to their spiritual preparation for initiation. Only the bishop may dispense someone from the obligation of celebrating a scrutiny (see RCIA 20). The scrutinies are only for the elect
Catechumens and the obligation to celebrate the scrutinies
Every second and third year in parishes across the country, pastors and liturgical leaders ask, “Why can’t we use the Year B/C readings for the scrutinies this year?” It’s an understandable question. After all, the Sunday assembly would get to hear the important readings they are missing from the B or C cycle. Surely Year
Why the Year A readings for the scrutinies matter for making disciples
Do you remember the Third Sunday of Lent in 2020? Most of us celebrated Mass that day, and many of us celebrated the first scrutiny with the elect. And for most of the parishes in the United States, that was the last time we would be in church together for a very long time. The
Catechumens and Lent: Navigating the liminal state
