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glb517
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I’m in RCIA and I have the first scrutiny tomorrow but I don’t know what that is or what I’ll be doing. Can anyone help?
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mswood
Guest
All we where told is that only the elect (non-baptized) and their sponsor/god parent would participate and basically it was special prayers being said for us to prepare us for baptism and that basically it was a minor exorcisim. Then when that was finished our god parents would be seated and the canidates would join us for our normal dismissal. We where not told exactly what would be said, I don’t think we have to say anything.
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sophie_rz
Guest
I’ll also take part in first scrutiny tomorrow. I don’t know what should I do either. I’m a little nervous about it.
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prodigalson12
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prodigalson12
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puzzleannie
Guest
your catechist should have explained this in class, but she may be among those RCIA directors who believe you get more out of the experience by first simply listening, doing and observing, and then discussing and meditating on what happened afterward.
You will come up again with your godparent or sponsor, kneel for a blessing, the priest and congregation will pray silently for you. there may be minor exorcism, a prayer to deliver you from evil (just like we petition in the Our Father). The gospel if not during Mass, in your class, will be that of the Samaritan Woman who met Jesus at the Well, and the prayers and intentions offered for you will reflect that encounter.
the purpose of these prayers is to assist you in looking deeper into yourself to root out the last lingering effects of sin in your life, to assist and strenghthen your full conversion, and specifically to battle the influence of the evil one, who often assails those who are about to enter the Church, so you can overcome all obstacles.
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PJM
Guest
NOT to WORRY!
Go with an open mind and a prayerful loving heart. The Holy Spirit will take care of the rest
"These very special rites are celebrated on the last three Sundays of Lent, at liturgies where the Elect are present. The Elect are those in our midst who are preparing for Baptism. Part of their journey to the font is that they have been received among us, the Rite of Acceptance, and they have been enrolled in the Book of the Elect in the Rite of Election.
Even if these rites are not celebrated at the liturgy we attend, or not celebrated in our parish or congregation at all, it can be wonderful to reflect upon the journey these Elect are making during Lent, as an inspiration and source of renewal for us in our journey.
These are ancient rites and they may, at first, seem strange to us. But they are profoundly rooted in our human experience. We need to examine (scrutinize) how we are, the areas of our lives where we are tempted, or seriously sin - in what we do and what we fail to do. We really need healing and the strength that can come from the support of our sisters and brothers.
Invitation to Silent Prayer
One of the most powerful moments of the Scrutinies is how they begin. After the homily, the Elect are invited to come forward with their sponsors and to kneel down. Then, the whole assembly is invited to pray for them in silence. It is a very solemn moment. This community has cared for these elect for some months now on their journey. We have sent them to reflect more and more deeply on the Word of God, and expressed to them our longing for the day on which they would join us at the table of the Lord. Now we pray for them in this sacred silence, deeply asking God to protect them and heal them in the weeks ahead.
Intercessions for the Elect
We then pray out loud together for the Elect.
Prayer of Exorcism
Then, we pray that they might be freed from the power of the Evil One and protected on their journey.
The Laying On of Hands
In a silent ritual deliberately reminiscent of the rite used for ordination in the Sacrament of Holy Orders, the priest or deacon lays his hands for a brief moment on the head of each of the Elect. It is a solemn act of calling down the Spirit of Jesus to be with them and protect them.
Dismissal of the Elect
The Elect are then sent forth to reflect upon the Word and this powerful gesture of love on the part of this community, that cares for them so deeply, with the love of Christ.
The Scrutinies
141 The scrutinies, which are solemnly celebrated on Sundays and are reinforced by an exorcism, are rites for self-searching and repentance and have above all a spiritual purpose. The scrutinies are meant to uncover, and then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect; to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good. For the scrutinies are celebrated 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, who is the way, the truth, and the life. These rites, therefore, should complete the conversion of the elect and deepen their resolve to hold fast to Christ and to carry out their decision to love God above all.
142 Because they are asking for the three sacraments of initiation, the elect must have the intention of achieving an intimate knowledge of Christ and his Church, and they are expected particularly to progress in genuine self-knowledge through serious examination of their lives and true repentance.
143 In order to inspire in the elect a desire for purification and redemption by Christ, three scrutinies are celebrated. By this means, first of all, the elect are instructed gradually about the mystery of sin, from which the whole world and every person longs to be delivered and thus saved from its present and future consequences. Second, their spirit is filled with Christ the Redeemer, who is the living water (gospel of the Samaritan woman in the first scrutiny), the light of the world (gospel of the man born blind in the second scrutiny), the resurrection and the life (gospel of Lazarus in the third scrutiny). From the first to the final scrutiny the elect should progress in their perception of sin and their desire for salvation.
144 In the rite of exorcism, the elect, who have already learned from the Church as their mother the mystery of deliverance from sin by Christ, are free from the effects of sin and from the influence of the devil. They receive new strength in the midst of their spiritual journey and they open their hearts to receive the gifts of the Savior.
145 The priest or deacon who is the presiding celebrant should carry out the celebration in such a way that the faithful in the assembly will also derive benefit from the liturgy of the scrutinies and join in the intercessions for the elect.
***From the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, prepared by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy and the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops." ***
Love and prayers.
I taught RCIA for three years. Its a time of special grace and Blesing, nothing to worry about.
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