Scrutinies Explained

The celebration of the Scrutinies on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent is the major feature of the Period of Purification and Enlightenment, the final phase of the journey for those seeking to become Catholic. Scrutinies are primarily spiritual preparation of the Elect for the celebration of the sacraments of initiation. They 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” (OCIA, 141). They deepen the awareness of the reality of “the mystery of sin, from which the whole world and every person longs to be delivered” (OCIA, 143) and increase their reliance on the forgiveness and mercy of God. The rest of the
assembly, who have already been baptized, are also catechized by these Scrutinies. We humans must continually resist the lure of evil and shake off any blindness or compliance with it that may have crept into our lives. As our faith community accompanies the Elect in celebrating these ancient, sacred rites, the Scrutinies help us all to refuse the power of sin and accept the power of God to direct our lives.