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  • Many Made One Around the Table of the Lord
  • Mucho Se Hacen Uno Solo Alredador de la Mesa de Senor
  • Lahat ay Nagkaisa sa Palibot ng Hapag ng Panginoon
  • Molti Fatti Uno Intorno Alla Tavola del Signore
  • Plusieurs a Fait un Autuor de la Table du Seigneur

Jesuit Fathers & Brothers

Blessed Sacrament Parish

Hollywood, CA since 1904

Period of Purification


Period of Purification and Enlightenment

  • The Period of Purification and Enlightenment corresponds to that time known in the Roman Catholic Church as Lent and has the character of a time of retreat for the elect who are preparing for Baptism, for the candidates who will complete their initiation or enter the full communion of the Catholic Church, and for the faithful who will commemorate their own Baptism at Easter.
  • The centerpiece of this period of prayerful preparation is Scrutinies. Although the candidates will not be the subject of the Scrutinies, catechesis for both the elect and the candidates during this period is related to the celebration of the Scrutinies.
  • Throughout this period, the elect and the candidates are invited to join with the whole Church in a deeper practice of works of charity and in the practice of fasting.
  • The Scrutinies are celebrated on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of the Lenten season. At the Masses at which the Scrutinies are celebrated, the cycle A readings must be used (RCIA no.146).
  • The presentations, to the elect, of the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer are also celebrated during this period.
  • The elect and the candidates are advised that on Holy Saturday they should refrain from their usual activities, spend time in prayer and reflection, and as far as they can, to observe a fast (RCIA no.185). The preparation rites (RCIA no. 185ff) assist this process of prayer and reflection.

For more information call Joyce Marie McCosco, (818) 216-5507