Hello Parishioners and Visitors,

You might have noticed that over the last 3 Sundays the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults & Youth) has been participating in what we call Scrutiny Rites. They take place on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays during Lent. The Core Components of the Scrutiny Rites include:

Intercessions for the Elect: The community prays for the Elect, asking for a spirit of repentance, self-knowledge, and strength.

Exorcism Prayer: A prayer, not a literal exorcism, designed to “drive out” the influence of evil and sin, strengthening them in Christ.

Laying on of Hands: The priest lays hands on each of the Elect, a gesture symbolizing the transmission of God’s power and protection.

The purpose of the Scrutinies is “to uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful” in the hearts of the Elect and to “strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good.”

(Quotes from Ritual Text for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, paragraph #141)

The Elect will examine what the message is in each of these Gospels and what our Lord is teaching us about the importance of self-examination, repentance, healing of spiritual blindness, and the emphasis of Jesus as the “Resurrection and the Life,” helping the Elect move from spiritual death to new life through baptism.

Jesus described the purpose of his mission as “To give life in abundance” (John 10:10). Each of the Gospels proclaimed in the three Scrutinies illustrates this.

During the Scrutinies this Lent, we might ask ourselves: What is defective in my heart and soul that needs strengthening? Resolve to ask for God’s healing grace, go to Confession, and work prayerfully on those areas of our own spiritual life.

May we all thirst for the Living Water Christ offered the Samaritan Woman at the well, have our spiritual sight restored by Him who is the Light of the World, and bear witness to new life in Christ like Lazarus, who received the Resurrection and the Life.

I ask that you continue to pray for the Elect who will become fully initiated into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil and for the Candidates who are continuing their formation in the Sacraments of Initiation of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.

May we all, who accompany our brothers and sisters on this journey, renew our faith in the Son of God, who embraced our death in order, by the power of his Resurrection, to bring us new and eternal life.

If you are interested in becoming fully initiated in the Catholic Church, please reach out! I am happy to walk alongside you on the journey home!

Blessings,

Denise Quackenbush

Rites Coordinator & Adult Faith Formation

The Lord is my strength and my shield, in whom my heart trust. – Psalm 28.7