Purification and Enlightenment Period:

Elect and candidates, who will be receiving sacraments at the Easter Vigil, participate in the period of purification and enlightenment. This period is a time of intense spiritual preparation that occurs during Lent.

The goal and focus of catechesis during this period is different than the period of the catechumenate. The form of catechesis changes dramatically. This period has the character of a time of retreat, a time of prayer and reflection.

During this period we focus on God’s gifting presence, and how that presence uncovers and reveals attitudes and lifestyles that are stumbling blocks to a relationship with God (purification) and an opportunity to raise up those attitudes and gifts that deepen the relationship with God (enlightenment).

This period is characterized by:
• A time of recollection
• Community activity such as Habitat for Humanity
• Participation in a Seder Meal
• Final preparation for the sacraments of initiation
• Celebration of Lenten Rites

The heart of this period is the celebration of the following rites: Scrutinies, Presentations and Preparation. Readings on the 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of Lents are solemn rites of Scrutinies that help the elect and candidates overcome weaknesses and build strengths.

Following the Scrutinies, the elect and candidates are entrusted with the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. For the Preparation rites, on Holy Saturday, the elect and candidates devote themselves to prayer to continue asking God to open their hearts and prepare them to be initiated into the Church.

THE EASTER TRIDUUM
The Easter Triduum is the three days of the celebration of Easter which begins with sundown on Holy Thursday evening and ends with evening prayer on Easter Sunday evening. The Easter Triduum of the passion and resurrection of Christ is the high point of the entire liturgical year and sets the stage for the greatest celebration of the Church year: The Easter Vigil.

Through the liturgy of the Triduum, the Church is intimately united with Christ and shares in his passage from death to life. Elect and candidates are introduced into these rituals through thoughtful preparation and sensitive celebration.

Palm Sunday, reconciliation services and the Seder meal help elect and candidates center themselves for the Easter Triduum.

Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper
The Mass of the Lord's Supper is fittingly the first liturgical action of the Easter Triduum. It is celebrated in the evening of Holy Thursday and presided by our Pastor Fr. Tom Glackin, who performs the rite of washing feet for the elect and candidates. With this rite, Fr. Glackin closely joins himself with Christ's act of perfect love to reveal the true nature of Christian love and discipleship. This is not just any act of service but is specifically a Gospel sign. Through this gesture, the RCIA participants and the community are encouraged to follow more closely the one who "came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).

Good Friday Service and the Veneration of the Cross
On Good Friday, we assemble to recall devoutly the death of the Lord "in the sure hope of rising again." On this day elect and candidates join the community of faith with full heart to worship God, who chose to redeem us by the cross.

During this day, we also participate in the proclamation of the Passion, which is performed by our deacons. This proclamation has several narrated sections separated with periods of silent reflection and acclamations, which all can sing.

The Easter Vigil
On this holy night, the Church keeps watch, celebrating the resurrection of Christ in the sacraments and awaiting his return in glory. It is the turning point of the Triduum, the Passover of the new covenant, which marks Christ's passage from death to life.

The entire celebration of the Easter Vigil takes place at night, beginning after nightfall and ending before daybreak on Sunday.

RCIA elect and candidates accompanied by sponsors, leaders and catechists assemble around a visible fire. Its flames dispel the darkness and light up the night. The beauty of the fire, its warmth and its light, draw the congregation together for this celebration. Fr. Glackin and co-celebrants dressed in white Mass vestments come to the fire. It is blessed and the large Easter candle is prepared.

As part of the Easter Vigil Mass, the Sacraments of Initiation are celebrated with the assembly.

The Sacraments of Initiation are:
• Baptism - by the waters of baptism, a person passes into the new life of grace and becomes a member of the Body of Christ.
• Confirmation - anointing with special holy oil called chrism is the act that seals the baptism promise through the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Holy Eucharist - participation at the Table of the Lord - receiving Eucharist completes full membership in the Church.

By sharing the bread of life and the cup of salvation, the RCIA elect and candidates close the Period of Purification and Enlightenment and move to the final step in the conversion process: Mystagogy.