RCIA Scrutinies, April 6, 2014

As the season of Lent winds down, our RCIA candidates are in the final weeks of preparation for their reception of the Easter sacraments: Baptism (or Rite of Reception), Confirmation, and Eucharist. Through these sacraments they will become fully initiated Catholic Christians. Earlier in Lent, they were welcomed by Archbishop Sample at St. Mary's Cathedral and enrolled in the Book of the Elect with their counterparts from other parishes in the Archdiocese of Portland. On Sunday, April 6, at the 9:30 Mass, we prayed for our Elect (as they are now properly called) with the "Scrutinies" prayers. "The Scrutinies have a two-fold purpose: revealing anything that is weak or sinful in the hearts of the Elect so that it may be healed; and revealing what is upright, strong and holy, so that it may be strengthened. The Scrutinies are intended to free them from sin and Satan, and to give them strength in Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life for his chosen ones." - from the ritual book of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Please pray for our Elect and join us for the celebration of their Easter sacraments at the Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 19 at 8:00pm.