2007-02-07 05:39:59 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
don't quote me on this, but I think when someone wants to convert and become a Roman Catholic, he or she must appear before the congregation and be "scrutinized" so that if anyone has any reason to believe that this person should not be permitted to join the faith, they will know that they need to express this concern to the priest.
2007-02-07 05:45:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Scrutinies are part of the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) process. (meaning, people converting) They are rituals that take place during Sunday mass on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent.
[gimme a minute... gonna get some more info for you]
EDIT - okay, here's a good site: http://www.catholic.org/clife/lent/faq.php Scroll down to the heading "Scrutinies: Examining Our Lives"
While these rituals are done publicly (that is, at Sunday mass in front of the congregation), the real scrutiny is between the individual and God. There is no public confession of sin or casting out or whatever. There are prayers, one actually referred to as an exorcism (holdout from old language, no real demons involved), and the priest will often bless people.
Hope that helps! Let me know if you need more information.
2007-02-07 13:47:12 · answer #2 · answered by Church Music Girl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Adults join the Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
This process usually takes about a year and culminates with the reception of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist (all three sacraments of initiation) at the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday night.
The season of Lent before Easter is a time of purification and enlightenment. The scrutinies are a part of this period of intense spiritual preparation.
The scrutinies are meant to reveal and then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect (the new believers), and to bring out, strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good.
The three scrutinies usually happen on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent during Mass in the presence of the congregation.
The first scrutiny fills the the spirit of the elect with Christ the Redeemer who is the living water (the gospel of the Samaritan woman, John 4:5–42)
The second scrutiny fills their spirit with Christ the Redeemer who is the light of the world (the gospel of the man born blind, John 9:1–41)
The third scrutiny fills their spirit with Christ the Redeemer who is the resurrection and the life (the gospel of Lazarus, John 11:1–45)
These are very beautiful and moving ceremonies.
With love and prayers in Christ.
2007-02-10 02:05:45 · answer #3 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Catholic church is the church of the beast.
2007-02-10 13:26:43 · answer #4 · answered by lightangellion 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋