THE WEIRD & THE WONDERFUL


know what each rite does and how it does that. First, we’ll concentrate on the focus and focal points of two significant rites a parish typically celebrates for those on this journey to Christ.4


Ten we’ll explore simple


ways to sing the rites to enliven and carry the meaning of each liturgy.


Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens [Rite for Entrance into


are called “catechumens” and now publicly belong to Christ. Finally, we invite the new catechumen to take their rightful place with us inside the church to be fed at the table of God’s Word.


Scrutinies


the Catechumenate] An unbaptized seeker has no status in the Church. Tat’s not a judgment, merely a recognition that they have no official role or responsibility in the Church. Once they begin to respond to God’s call in their lives and show signs of initial conversion to Christ, they are ready to be given an official place and status in the household of God. Te Rite of Acceptance enters them into an official “order” of the Church—the order of catechumens. Tey remain in this order until their Baptism, when they become members of the baptismal priesthood, the order of the faithful.


Te primary focus of the Rite of Acceptance is God’s call and the seeker’s response through a public declaration of their intention to follow the Gospel. In turn, we respond to the seeker’s desire by consecrating them with the cross of Christ and accepting them into the household of God.


Te principal ways the Rite of Acceptance ritualizes this divine call and response are through a series of dialogues, processions, and ritual space and gesture. Most of the rite takes place outside the church (not simply “at the doors” as in the Order of Baptism of Children). Symbolizing their apostolic mandate to evangelize, the assembly gathers outside to greet the seeker. Tere the presider asks the seeker what they desire and why that is important. He questions the seeker further, confirming that they understand what their request entails. He also questions the faithful, asking if we affirm the seeker’s desire and are ready to accompany them on this path. Assured of the authenticity of both the seeker’s intention and the community’s support, we come to the climax of the rite, the first signing of the seeker with the cross on their forehead and optionally on the other senses. Tis signing permanently consecrates the seeker to Christ, giving them a new identity and role in the Church. Tey


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Unlike the Rite of Acceptance, which transformed a seeker into a catechumen, the three Scrutinies do not change a person’s order or status. Tat doesn’t mean, however, that change isn’t happening. Over the course of three Sundays, usually in Lent, each succeeding celebration of the Scrutinies builds upon the other to “complete the conversion of the elect and deepen their resolve to hold fast to Christ and to carry out their decision to love God above all.”5


Te primary focus of the Scrutinies is “to uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect;6


upright, strong, and good.”7


to bring out, then strengthen all that is Now the name of the rite


(and the exorcism prayer that is part of it) probably elicits some negative connotations. But if we think of a Scrutiny the way we might gaze at the face of a loved one, memorizing their every wrinkle and soaking in the color of their eyes, then the Scrutinies become sacred “I see you” moments with Christ. Led by the faithful’s example of conversion and surrounded by their prayers, the elect let themselves truly be seen by Jesus, that they may learn the mystery of sin and of love stronger than death.


Te way the Scrutinies do this is also very different than the Rite of Acceptance. Whereas the Rite of Acceptance is flowing with processions and movement and unscripted ritual dialogue, the Scrutinies feel grounded, still, and steeped in profound silence so that the scrutinizing Word of the three Johannine Gospel passages, the intercessions, and the exorcism prayers can cut through whatever still hinders the elect from fully following Jesus to the cross.


Find the musical ritual


flow of the rites Once you have a good sense of the theological purpose of a rite and its ritual structure and focal points, reflect on how the ritual music will serve that purpose in a way that naturally engages the assembly. Tis requires an understanding of musical ritual flow. Tat might


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