Scrutinies 考核礼

Handing over of the Creed 颁发信经

Today is the 3rd Sunday of Lent. During the Mass this morning which was celebrated by Fr. Lawrence Ng, CDD, the RCIA candidates (now called the Elects) went through the first of a series of three scrutinies during this final period of purification and enlightenment. It is an intense preparation before they are accepted into the Catholic Church through Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist on Easter.

It is a time for the preacher (priest) to lead not only the candidates but also the whole gathered assembly into an ever deeper understanding of the mystery of Christ through the gospel message and to stimlate them to an inner conversion of heart.

Today's scrutiny consisted of exorcism, handing over of the Creed and praying for the candidates.

The handing over of the Creed signifies that official handing-on of the faith that is received from Christ through the apostles in the beginning. Creeds in themselves are summaries of the Catholic faith (12 articles).

1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

2. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

5. He descended into death. On the third day he rose again.

6. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

7. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

8. I believe in the Holy Spirit,

9. the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,

10. the forgiveness of sins,

11. the resurrection of the body,

12. and the life everlasting.

Amen.

“Ephphetha (open)! proclaim your faith, praise and glorify the Lord"
“开了吧！愿你宣认你的信德，以赞美及光荣天主”

今天是四旬期的第三个主日。成人慕道者（现称为侯洗者）进入了一个最后的净化及光照时期，以准备在复活节时，藉着入门圣事 - 圣洗 、坚振及圣体圣事，成为天主的孩子，进入天主教会团体。在今天的弥撒中，侯洗者完成了三个考核礼中的第一个考核。

这个时候，主礼神父带领侯洗者及全体出席的信徒，藉着福音讯息，更深入的了解耶稣的奥秘，也促使他们心灵的皈依。

今天的考核礼包括了驱魔 、颁发信经及为侯洗者祈祷。

颁发信经，标志着侯洗者正式领受来自耶稣，传自宗徒的信仰。信经是天主教信仰的信条简缩（12 条）。

1. 我信全能的天主父，天地萬物的創造者。

2. 我信父的唯一子，我們的主耶穌基督，

3. 衪因聖神降孕，由童貞瑪利亞誕生；

4. 祂在比拉多執政時蒙難，被釘在十字架上，死而安葬

5. 祂下降陰府，第三日從死者中復活

6. 祂升了天，坐在全能天主父的右邊

7. 祂要從天降來，審判生者死者

8. 我信聖神

9.我信聖而公教會，諸聖的相通

10. 罪過的赦免

11. 肉身的復活

12. 永恆的生命

阿孟。