Three

Scru nies

What are the “Scru nies”?

Rites celebrated on the Third, Fourth, and Fi h Sundays of Lent. They are celebrated at the mass
where the elect are present. The Elect are those preparing for bap sm at the Easter Vigil.

The Scru nies are very ancient rites of the church. In the early church the bishop would inquire
of the sponsors if the elect had been living a Chris an life. The Scru nies are minor rites of
exorcism, for self-searching and repentance. Their spiritual purpose is to deliver the elect from
the power of sin, and Satan, to protect them against tempta ons and give them strength to
con nue in their journey to Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) The
Scru nies help with the puri ca on and enlightenment process to open the eyes of the elect to
what God is doing in their lives and what they are being called to do in their walk as disciples.

Those who are already bap zed (candidates) do not celebrate the Scru nies. This is because
they have the spiritual protec on of the waters of bap sm.

Only the bishop can dispense the requirement for celebra ng all three Scru nies. The scru ny
may be done by a priest or deacon.

Scru ny Sundays are unique no ma er which year of the liturgical cycle the church is in; the
Year A readings are proclaimed when the elect are present.

The gospel readings of these three Sundays were selected by Mother Church to encourage the
elect to examine and contemplate what God is doing in their lives. Each reading has something
in common for those conver ng to the Chris an faith: each begins without knowledge of Christ
Jesus, who He is and What He is. They gain knowledge of Jesus and come to see He is a good
leader and teacher. Finally, they come to understand Jesus divine nature. They receive divine
grace and come to faith.

First Scru ny John 4:5-42 The Samaritan woman at the well

Second Scru ny John 9:1-41 The man born blind

Third Scru ny John 11:1-46 The Raising of Lazarus

A er the homily the Elect are invited to come forward with their sponsors. The assembly is
invited to pray for them in silence. Then we pray the intercessions for the elect. Next a prayer of
exorcism that they are set free from the power of the Evil One and are protected on their
journey to the Easter Vigil. The priest or deacon then lays his hands brie y on the head of each
Elect. This is a solemn act of calling down the Holy Spirit to be with them and protect them. The
elect are then dismissed as usual to Breaking Open the Word.
ft
ti
ti
ti
ti
ti
ti
ti
ti

ti

ti
ti
fi
ti
ti
tt

ft
ti

ti

ti
ti

ti

ti
ti
ti
fl
ti

ti