Q: We are going have the Scrutinies soon. We have only 1 unbaptized elect and about 10 candidates. A gentleman who has been helping me feels they should only apply to the unbaptized elect. I wonder if it should/could include the candidates?
He feels it imparts solemnity to the rite if it is only for our 1 elect. I also see having the whole group participate and benefit from it. What is your experience?
I thank you in advance.
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A: Only the elect are the subjects of the scrutinies. The baptized candidates attend and pray for the elect along with the rest of the community.
A scrutiny is a pre-baptismal ceremony. To put validly baptized Christians through a pre-baptismal ceremony is to disparage their baptism. Baptized candidates are already members of the Body of Christ. They do not undergo scrutinies and exorcisms.
Candidates may participate in a Penitential Rite on the Second Sunday of Lent (USA edition, OCIA 459ff). Notice the end of OCIA 463, which says, “Because the Prayer of Exorcism in the three Scrutinies for catechumens who have received the Church´s Election properly belongs to the elect and uses numerous images referring to their approaching Baptism, those Scrutinies of the elect and this Penitential Rite for those preparing for Confirmation and the Eucharist have been kept separate and distinct. Thus, no combined rite has been included in Appendix I.”