RCIA and Scrutinies?

fortw701 · Feb 25, 2011

I went through RCIA in 2008. During the RCIA process, we were told our class would not participate in the Scrutinies. Are these prayers important? I still do not know what is the spiritual signifigance of this practice is.

Joannm · Feb 25, 2011

Were you baptized in another faith? If so, you do not participate in the scrutinies as they are only for the unbaptized.

maryj · Feb 25, 2011

My husband is in RCIA, and this was brought up in a class. No One in this years group is unbaptized so there wil be no scrutinies this year.

Marie5890 · Feb 25, 2011

The Scrutinies are for those who will be baptized at the Vigil. It is only for the unbaptized

5Loaves · Feb 26, 2011

fortw701 said:
I went through RCIA in 2008. During the RCIA process, we were told our class would not participate in the Scrutinies. Are these prayers important? I still do not know what is the spiritual signifigance of this practice is.

As others have said, it sound like you had no unbaptized in your RCIA group, thus no celebration of the scrutinies that year.

From History of the scrutinies: 3 things your RCIA team needs to know

The scrutinies and their accompanying exorcisms are a series of rites that cannot be condensed in time; they need time “to work.” Nor should we diminish their ritual symbols of silence, posture, litany, and handlaying.
The scrutinies focus as much on the grace of God as on the sin of humanity. We can’t truly call a scrutiny a Christian rite of initiation unless our self-searching leads to acknowledgment and praise of Christ who saves us.
The scrutinies are for the elect, not for the baptized, for we believe that baptism matters. That is, when one is baptized, one is freed from the power of sin. The baptized are no longer enslaved by Satan. Those who have not yet entered the waters of the font are still vulnerable; they have not yet been clothed with Christ; they have not yet been reborn as new creations. That is why those who have already been released from the devil’s grip are able to pray these scrutinies and exorcisms for the elect.

That piece also links to an extensive article by Fr. Paul Turner, Doctor of Sacred Theology .

A good short piece Why Three Scrutinies?

fortw701 · Feb 26, 2011

It clarifies things for me, to know that these prayers/reflections are only for the unbaptized. I was baptized in another faith. Most of my class was too. Thank you.

RCIA and Scrutinies?

fortw701

Guest

Joannm

Guest

maryj

Guest

Marie5890

Guest

5Loaves

Guest

The scrutinies and their accompanying exorcisms are a series of rites that cannot be condensed in time; they need time “to work.” Nor should we diminish their ritual symbols of silence, posture, litany, and handlaying.

The scrutinies focus as much on the grace of God as on the sin of humanity. We can’t truly call a scrutiny a Christian rite of initiation unless our self-searching leads to acknowledgment and praise of Christ who saves us.

fortw701

Guest

RCIA and Scrutinies?

fortw701

Guest

Joannm

Guest

maryj

Guest

Marie5890

Guest

5Loaves

Guest

The scrutinies and their accompanying exorcisms are a series of rites that cannot be condensed in time; they need time “to work.” Nor should we diminish their ritual symbols of silence, posture, litany, and handlaying.​

The scrutinies focus as much on the grace of God as on the sin of humanity. We can’t truly call a scrutiny a Christian rite of initiation unless our self-searching leads to acknowledgment and praise of Christ who saves us.​

fortw701

Guest

The scrutinies and their accompanying exorcisms are a series of rites that cannot be condensed in time; they need time “to work.” Nor should we diminish their ritual symbols of silence, posture, litany, and handlaying.

The scrutinies focus as much on the grace of God as on the sin of humanity. We can’t truly call a scrutiny a Christian rite of initiation unless our self-searching leads to acknowledgment and praise of Christ who saves us.