Choreographing the Scrutinies

When you are planning for the scrutinies, be sure to move the Elect out into the midst of the assembly. The goal is to strive for both visibility and intimacy.

• If you only have one candidate for initiation this year, the action of the scrutiny should take place where it is most visible—usually at the head of the center aisle. The Elect would face the assembly.
• If you have two candidates, place the second about half way down the center aisle.
• If you have three, place the third in a side aisle, and so on.
• When it is time for the rite, the godparents move the Elect into their designated places.
• It is very important for the godparents to keep a hand on the Elect throughout the entire rite.
• When it is time for the laying on of hands, the presider would walk solemnly to each candidate and press his hands on top of each head.
• You might adapt the rite to have the director of the catechumenate follow behind and do the same.
• Similarly, each godparent might lay hands on his or her candidate as well.
• Note, the laying on of hands is a gesture of exorcism, not absolution.
  

Do not rehearse with the Elect. It is up to the godparents to guide the Elect.

The key to a reverent and dignified celebration is rehearsal. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.

BUT, do not rehearse with the Elect. It is up to the godparents to be well prepared and know how to guide the Elect through the rite. Their care for the Elect in the rite is symbolic of their commitment as godparents.

Readings for the Scrutinies

I’ve received some questions asking if Year C readings can be used for the Scrutiny Rites on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent this year.

If an assembly will be celebrating the Scrutiny Rites, the readings for Year A should be used for the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent. These readings are so crucial to the Scrutiny Rites that the RCIA mandates that even when the Scrutinies are celebrated outside of Lent or on other days of Lent, because of unusual circumstances, the readings of Year A for the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent are to be used (cf. RCIA, 146).

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults explicitly names the readings that are to be used whenever the Scrutinies are celebrated: “In every case the ritual Masses ‘Christian Initiation: The Scrutinies’ are celebrated and in this sequence: for the first Scrutiny the Mass with the gospel of the Samaritan woman; for the second, the Mass with the gospel of the man born blind; for the third, the Mass with the gospel of Lazarus” (RCIA, 146).

I know that it could get “boring” for the parish to hear this set of readings every year. But one way to look at this is to understand that the Scrutinies are primarily for the Elect, and most likely, this will be the first time the Elect will have heard these readings in a liturgical setting. These three Gospel readings are so crucial to the Elect’s understanding of Christian faith. They are the foundational stories of what happens when we become united to Christ through baptism, and they are the pre-eminent stories of healing and strengthening that are at the heart of the Scrutiny Rites. These readings also parallel the gradual unfolding of recognizing Christ that is the catechumen’s journey. As good as the Year B and C readings are, they are not the most appropriate readings for the Scrutinies. So I would encourage your parish to continue using the Year A readings for the Scrutiny Rites because they are so central to the rite and are for the benefit of the Elect.