RCIA, what are the Sunday Scrunities?

[chezel1984]

As some already know, I am being baptised into the Church at this year’s Easter Vigil and have my Rite of Election this Sunday at my local cathedral. As I was reading, I came across the Scrutinies. I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on this please?

What happens? What is expected of me? Many thanks for any help one can give. One other thing, I will be reading my Bible more, learning to pray the Rosary and would like to visit the Blessed Sacrament over Lent. Can anyone recommend anything else that will help me grow spiritually?

Thanks once again and God bless

 

[smead2942]

I’m not familiar with the first part of your post, but as far as spiritual growth during Lent goes…

Pray the Holy Rosary every day. When you think of how busy our day-to-day lives are, fitting in 25 minutes of prayer seems intimidating. I’ve been going through some minor problems in the last few months and began a devotion to the Blessed Mother. Jesus truly left Mary as mother of the human race, and she never ignores our petitions. I also like to pray the Angelus, which is another beautiful meditation on Mary’s denial of self and “YES!” to God. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee! The spiritual benefits are unbelievable.

**Give up or commit to doing something meaningful. **I surrendered social media for Lent, and it’s amazing just how much free time I find myself with. Whatever you choose to do, make sure it brings you closer to God

Attend Holy Mass and Stations of the Cross whenever possible. Holy Mass is, of course, the most important event in the history of the universe: the re-presentation of Calvary. The Stations of the Cross call to mind the sorrowful Passion which our Lord endured. Absolutely humbling

Pax, and welcome home!

 

[pianistclare]

Here is a very comprehensive article:
onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Lent/scrutiny-1.html

Just be open to the Holy Spirit, and when you have questions go straight to the Catechism, and read all the footnotes and Scripture passages for that item.
Meet with your sponsor regularly for discussion and prayer.
God bless you. Countless are on the same journey with you, including many young people and children. It’ s blessed and wondrous tie for you. I hope it is a very spiritual experience for you and all.
Peace
Clare

 

[marlap2]

Hopefully your RCIA class will enlighten you more.
The Scrutinies are a formal grouping of prayers in preparation for Easter. Usually they are said in the community of the church, with you and your fellow catechumens and sponsors at the front of the church. They even include a prayer of exorcism. BUT don’t be afraid. They are a special time for you to spend in contemplation, looking into your soul and recognizing the need for a savior … like the woman at the well … like the Man Born Blind … like Lazarus.

We are all the women at the well, born blind, dead.
We are all in need of forgiveness, love, clarity of sight, and everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

That’s it in a nutshell!

 

[Joe_Kelley]

From my column for our KofC Bulletin for March:

The Scrutinies are ancient rites for self-searching, repentance and healing to support the Candidates and Elect as they examine and acknowledge the sin in their lives. The First Scrutiny uses the gospel of the Woman at the Well,. These continue with the Man Born Blind**, and *the Raising of Lazarus *to exemplify the theme of growing in Faith. This is the time to scrutinize our own lives in preparation to making a good Confession before Easter. Most of us received the Sacraments of Initiation many years ago. How well are we doing at growing in that Faith we received then? Let’s conduct a scrutiny of ourselves in preparation for Easter.
Please keep all those preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation and their sponsors in your prayers during this period of preparation.

 

[Isca]

As fellow-Brit, I can recommend a book which my MIL gave to me when I entered the Church last year. It is a wonderful collection of prayers and readings and has been extremely valuable to me. It’s called “The Heart in Pilgrimage”, edited by Eamon Duffy and published by Bloomsbury.

 

[Mintaka]

It’s so that when we all go into hiding when we’re persecuted, the rest of the parish will know you’re one of us!

 

[felsguy]

Catechumens in RCIA often are unnerved unnecessarily as the Scrutinies approach, thinking that it means they stand at the front of the church while everybody in the congregation is “scrutinizing” them. This IS NOT the case at all. The ceremony of the Scrutinies provides a brief time for each participant to scrutinize themselves, that is, to examine their life for obstacles to having as close a relationship with God as possible and to consider what might be done to remove these obstacles Occurring on three consectutive weekends, the formal Scutinies remind the newly “elect” to continue this self-examination throughout this time as the Easter Vigil rapidly approaches as well as reminding the entire congregation present to likewise examine their own lives for such obstacles.

Prayers for and best wishes to you and the many thousands of fellow elect during this exciting time.