Rite of Welcoming
The RCIA candidates publicly express their intention to continue their ongoing preparation for full acceptance into the faith community at the Easter Vigil. To the majority of us who were baptized as infants, this step made by these adults and children is both humbling and admirable. The faith community of Beloved Disciple welcomes these new seekers of light and truth as they continue their journey.

Rite of Election
The candidates have been studying the Catholic faith and preparing to come into the Church at Easter Vigil. In early spring, the parish celebrates the Rite of Sending the Candidates to the Bishop. Later the same day, the candidates join others from the diocese in the Rite of Election at St. Peter's Cathedral in Erie, another step in their journey of faith.

Scrutinies
Starting with the Third Sunday of Lent and continuing through the Fifth Sunday of Lent, the candidates for reception into the faith will celebrate the Rites of Scrutiny. These rites serve as a self-searching and repentance in preparation for the Easter Vigil when they will be confirmed and receive the Eucharist. Through these rites, they will be instructed about the mystery of sin, from which the whole world and every person longs to be delivered and thus saved from its present and future consequences. Also, the candidates' spirits will be filled with Christ the Redeemer, who is living water, the light of the world and the resurrection and the life. Through the exorcisms celebrated at each of these scrutinies, the candidates will receive new strength in the midst of their spiritual journey and their hearts will be opened to receive the gifts of the Savior. It is an appropriate time for all members of the community to reflect on these three scrutinies.

Journey to Resurrection and New Life
The peak and crown of the Church year is the Triduum (tree-due-um). It is also the heart of the liturgical year. It is at the center of all the renewal that has taken place in the church in our time. This Triduum is found at the center of that week we call "holy." It consists of everything that takes place from sundown on Holy Thursday through sundown on Easter Sunday. This is a time when each family should feel a need to be a part of this solemn, dramatic and prayerful moment of the church year.

As we move into the final week of Lent, the Church invites all her people to join in the celebration of these most important three days called Triduum. This celebration is played out in three movements: The celebration of the Lord's Supper with the washing of the feet. This takes place on Holy Thursday after sundown.

On Friday afternoon, we gather once again to celebrate the Passion of the Lord and the Solemn Veneration of the Cross including a simple communion service.

On Saturday, there is a special blessing of Easter foods in the church. The remainder of the Triduum should be a time of prayer, of fasting from worldly distractions. It is a time for vigil, for watching and waiting. After sundown, we gather once again for the high point of the church year: Easter Vigil. The vigil begins with the lighting of the new fire, followed by the reception of new candidates into our Catholic faith community. Following the liturgy, there is a celebration welcoming our newest brothers and sisters.