What are the Scrutinies?
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March 21, 2025This weekend, we start with the Rite of Scrutiny of theElect after they have publicly expressed their desire forbaptism to our Bishop Alberto Rojas, D.D. during the Riteof Election.
What are the Scrutinies?
The Rite of Scrutinies are held on the third, fourth, andfifth Sundays of Lent. These rites, with roots dating backto the early Church, take place during the Sunday Mass,each thematically linked to the Gospel reading (we will beusing Year A) of the three passages from St. John’sGospel which teaches the elect about the mystery of sin,and fill them with the Spirit of Christ.- 1. Third Sunday of Lent, First Scrutiny (the SamaritanWoman at the well) tells us that Christ is the LivingWater,
- 2. Fourth Sunday of Lent, Second Scrutiny (healing ofthe man born blind), tells us that Christ is the Light ofthe World,
- 3. Fifth Sunday of Lent, Third Scrutiny (the raising ofLazarus from the dead), tells us that Christ is theResurrection and the Life.
- The ‘Elect’ along with their sponsors, kneel before thecelebrant and the assembly, who pray for them silentlywith a series of intercessions. It culminates in a prayer ofcleansing and protection (exorcism) with the laying-on-ofhands.The Scrutinies are God’s way of taking a close, loving lookat the ‘Elect’. The Church teaches that the purpose of thescrutinies is “to uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect, to bring out, thenstrengthen all that is upright, strong, and good. For thescrutinies are celebrated in order to deliver the elect fromthe 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 resolveto hold fast to Christ and to carry out their decision to loveGod above all.” (RCIA141)Therefore, the scrutinies help the ‘Elect’ complete theirconversion and deepen their resolve to become disciples.This “scrutinizing” happens in a two-part movement. “First,the elect are instructed gradually about the mystery of sin[by the gospel], from which the whole world and everyperson longs to be delivered and thus saved. Second,their spirit is filled with Christ the Redeemer, who is theliving water, the light of the world, and the resurrectionand the life.” (RCIA 143)Let us continue then to pray for our ‘Elect’ that they maycontinue to be strengthened and be inspired more by theWord of God, and we look forward for that day whenthey’ll be in full communion with Christ’s body, the Churchand be one with us in the celebration of the HolyEucharist.