The document discusses the Scrutinies, which are intense prayers for those preparing for Baptism or renewal of Baptismal promises. During the Scrutinies, prayers are said to replace any spirit of evil with goodness and uncover and strengthen what is good. There are three Scrutinies celebrated on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent, focusing on Gospel passages about the Samaritan Woman, Man Born Blind, and Raising of Lazarus. Following each Scrutiny, candidates are given materials to study like the Nicene Creed and Our Father in preparation for Easter.

1. Purification and Enlightenment

2.  Scrutinies are intense prayers of the Church
for those preparing to enter into the Church.
 Scrutinies encourage a spirit of repentance so
that Christ may fill us with His light and love
as we prepare for Baptism, or the renewal of
Baptismal promises at the Easter Vigil.
 During the prayers, we pray that the spirit of
evil in our hearts and lives be replaced with a
spirit of good.

3. “The scrutinies, which are solemnly
celebrated on Sundays [of Lent], are rites for
self-searching and repentance and have
above all a spiritual purpose. The scrutinies
are meant to uncover, 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” (RCIA, No. 141).

4.  Thereare three Scrutinies, ordinarily
celebrated on the third, fourth and fifth
Sundays of Lent.
 We will celebrate the Scrutinies:
• Sunday, March 3:30 at the 8:30 a.m. Mass
• Sunday, March 10 at the 8:30 a.m. Mass
• Saturday, March 16 at the 4:30 p.m. Mass

5. At these celebrations, we will sit with our sponsors
and families in the section near the St. Ann statue
(in front of the cry room and confessional.) We will
have reserved seating. Please make sure you are
at Mass 10 minutes early.
Following the homily, candidates and catechumens
will be called forward with sponsors. You will stand
in front of the first step (on the floor) at the front of
the church, facing the assembly, with your sponsor
behind you.

6. There will be a series of prayers, during which the
priest will first invite you to bow your head.
At one point in the prayers, he will prayerfully place
his hands on your head for a moment. This
symbolizes the calling down of the Holy Spirit in
prayer. During this part of the ritual, the assembly
and choir will sing.

7. With each of the three Scrutinies, a particular
selection of John’s Gospel is assigned. In
preparation for each Scrutiny, in class we will
watch a dramatization of the story;
in the week before, please read and reflect on the
Gospel.
• First Scrutiny: The Samaritan Woman at the Well
• Second Scrutiny: The Man Born Blind
• Third Scrutiny: The Raising of Lazarus

8. Following the First Scrutiny, you will be
presented with a copy of the Nicene Creed
so that you can study it in preparation for the
Easter Vigil. You don’t need to memorize it,
just study it. We will study it in class, also.

9. Following the Second Scrutiny, you will be
presented with a copy of the Our
Father, again to study in preparing for
Easter.