Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Process

This Sunday we celebrate the first of three ‘Scrutinies,’ part of the final stages of preparation for our sisters and brothers who are going through the RCIA program. This year, our parish communities of St. Monica and St. Andrew have been blessed with six Catechumens and one Candidate. At the Easter Vigil, they will receive the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist, and will be formally received into the Catholic Church.

The RCIA process¹ begins with the Precatechumenate or the Inquiry Stage, followed by the Catechumenate Stage, which culminates with the Rite of Election. After the Rite of Election, the Elect will enter the Stage of Purification and Enlightenment. This stage usually falls during Lent and is a period of profound spiritual preparation. Part of this stage is the celebration of the ‘Scrutinies’ on the 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th Sundays of Lent. On these three Sundays, we will hear the gospel story of Jesus’ encounter with ‘the woman at the well,’ ‘the man born blind,’ and ‘the raising of Lazarus’ respectively.

While the term ‘Scrutiny’ might sound intrusive or judgmental, it has a deep spiritual and honored historical significance in the Catholic Church. It is aimed at true conversion and purification from sinful desires. This ritual is meant to purify and enlighten the ‘Elect’ as they prepare for the Easter Vigil. Through prayers, the Word of God, and spiritual direction, the Elect will be accompanied in their final preparation for the reception of the sacraments.

After the Easter Vigil, in the weeks leading up to Pentecost, the newly baptized (neophytes) will go through the Stage of Mystagogy, during which they are accompanied to ‘deepen their experience of the sacraments,’ reflect on their experience of being baptized in Christ, and how to serve Christ both within and outside the church.

Conversion to Christ is an ongoing process, may this celebration of the ‘Scrutinies’ remind us of our own need to be purified of our sinful desires. As we approach the Paschal Solemnity of our Lord’s Passion and Resurrection, I invite you to pray and reflect with our Elect on these words of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, which he addressed to the catechumens in the 4^th century: “… Perhaps you knew not whither you were coming, nor in what kind of net you are taken.  You have come within the Church’s nets: be taken alive, flee not: for Jesus is angling for you, not in order to kill, but by killing to make alive: for you must die and rise again. You have heard the Apostle say, Dead indeed unto sin, but living unto righteousness.  Die to your sins, and live to righteousness, live from this very day.”

 

Fr. Martin

 

¹ https://www.archtoronto.org/en/our-faith/becoming-catholic-rcia/