BUSHWICK — Bishop Robert Brennan joined parishioners at the Church of St. Martin of Tours on March 22 for a solemn rite for 12 catechumens, who are scheduled to enter the Catholic faith at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.

The “Rite of the Third Scrutiny” was a part of the church’s 9 a.m. Mass, which Bishop Brennan celebrated. Similar rites were held on Sunday at parishes throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn for catechumens — also called “the elect.”

The rites are held on the last few Sundays of Lent in accordance with the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, the process the Church uses to guide adults through the journey of becoming Catholic.

OCIA offers two tracks: one for unbaptized people (catechumens or “the elect”) and another for those who were baptized Catholic but did not receive the other sacraments, or who were baptized into other faiths and now wish to become Catholic (candidates). 

Candidates are people who were baptized Catholic but did not receive the other sacraments, or those who were baptized into other faiths and now wish to become Catholic.

Recent estimates from the Diocese of Brooklyn indicate that 1,288 people will enter the Church this Easter. There are 683 catechumens who will enter the Church for the first time by receiving baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist. There are 605 candidates who will come into full communion with the Church by receiving both sacraments of confirmation and the Eucharist.

Evelyn Blas, faith formation director for the Church of St. Martin of Tours, said Bishop Brennan’s visit was a surprise that excited everyone.

“I think it was beautiful,” Blas said. “Everyone has been commenting about having the bishop there. It was a special blessing for them because no one expected him to be there.”

Father Joseph Gibino, vicar for the Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis, said Bishop Brennan chose to visit St. Martin of Tours’ because its OCIA program is contributing many of this year’s new Catholics.

Along with the 12 catechumens, the parish is contributing 62 candidates, split evenly between 31 teenagers and 31 adults, Blas said.

These soon-to-be Catholics are among the 526 people, ages pre-K to adult, in the parish’s faith formation program. And unlike other parishes, everyone wears “uniforms” in the form of blue t-shirts while in class.

Blas said the parish, of which Father Juan de Jesus Ruiz is pastor, had about 400 people in the program last year and already has a waiting list for next year.

The OCIA tracks for both catechumens and candidates involve several steps leading to the Easter Vigil on the evening of Holy Saturday. For both tracks, the step preceding the Easter Vigil is the “period of purification and enlightenment,” which coincides with Lent. Specifically, it is a time for deeper reflection and sanctification involving the three “scrutinies” — solemn liturgical rites celebrated on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent.

On these Sundays, the catechumens and candidates scrutinize themselves to prepare their hearts to receive the sacraments. Each scrutiny is connected to three scripture stories.

For example, the first scrutiny on the third Sunday of Lent challenges people to acknowledge their own sins and take responsibility for them, using the story of the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:4).

The second scrutiny (fourth Sunday of Lent) uses the story of the man born blind (John 9) to illustrate how people inherit the blindness of original sin. People are challenged to seek restoration through Jesus for their spiritual blindness.

And finally, the third scrutiny is based on the raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44) to convey that Jesus himself is the resurrection and has authority over death and eternal life.

Each step of the way, the congregation is invited to pray for the soon-to-be new Catholics as they prepare for their transformations at the Easter Vigil.

But there is a benefit for everyone, Father Gibino said.

“I find that the scrutinies are really beautiful for the whole community,” Father Gibino said. “We all are avoiding grace on some level. It reminds all of us that, every now and then, we give in to temptation.”

Father Gibino explained that Bishop Brennan asked the secretariat office to suggest parishes to visit on March 22 for the Rite of the Third Scrutiny.

“We looked at a number of parishes,” Father Gibino said. “But I was struck by the number of candidates, 62, as well as the 12 elect, all wearing the same t-shirts. I thought that was so cool, I wanted the bishop to see it.

“And what a remarkable shot in the arm for them to have the bishop in their presence.”