The Scrutinies & Presentations

Purification and Enlightenment

What are “Scrutinies?” 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.

Formal Description

“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). 

More about the Scrutinies There are 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

What’s the process?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.

What’s the process?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.

Preparing for the Scrutinies

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

Presentations

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.

Presentations

Following the Second Scrutiny, you will

be presented with a copy of the Our Father, again to study in preparing for Easter.