Introduction 35 A. Legitimate or Customary Times 18. With regard to the time for celebrating the Rite for Entrance into the Catechumenate (nos. 41-74), the following should be noted: 1) It should not happen too early: it is right to wait until the inquirers, depending on their attitudes and circumstances, have enough time to embrace the beginnings of faith and to show the first signs of conversion (cf. no. 42). 2) Where the number of those entering is smaller than usual, it is right to wait until a group of sufficient size forms for catechesis and the liturgical rites. 3) Two or, if necessary, three more suitable days or occasions in a year should be set for celebrating the rite. 19. The Rite of “Election” or “Enrollment of Names” (nos. 118-137) should normally be celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent. When appropriate, it can be celebrated somewhat earlier or on a weekday. 20. The “Scrutinies” (nos. 150-156, 164-170, 171-177) should take place on the Third, Fourth and Fifth Sundays of Lent, or if necessary on other Sundays of the same Lent, or even on weekdays that are found to be more suitable. Three “Scrutinies” should be celebrated. However, the Bishop can dispense from one of them in view of serious impediments or even, in exceptional circumstances, from two (cf. nos. 34.3, 331). When time is short and the Election has been anticipated, the First Scrutiny should also be anticipated; however, in this case care should be taken to ensure that the “Period of Purification and Enlightenment” is not extended beyond eight weeks. 21. From antiquity the “Rites of Handing On,” since they take place after the Scrutinies, belong to the same Period of Purification and Enlightenment; however, they should be celebrated during the week. The Creed is handed on (nos. 157-163) during the week following the First Scrutiny and the Lord’s Prayer (nos. 178-184) after the Third. If this is pastorally suitable, however, for enrichment of the liturgy of the Period of the Catechumenate, the Rites of Handing On can be transferred and celebrated during the catechumenate as a kind of “rite of passage” (cf. nos. 79, 104-105). 50 51 52 53
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