Option two for Holy Saturday:
197. By the power of its symbolism the ephphetha rite, or rite of opening the ears and mouth, impress on the elect their need of grace in order that they may hear the word of God and profess it for their salvation.
Okay. You know this as an optional rite for infant baptism. I have rarely encountered this rite for adults, but I think it would be the most valuable and fruitful of the Holy Saturday options.
198. The reading is as indicated for this rite in the Lectionary for Mass: the celebrant gives a brief explanation of the text.
Mark 7:31-37 — Ephphetha, that is, be opened.
199. The elect come before the celebrant. A suitable song may be sung as the celebrant touches the right and left ear and the closed lips of each of the elect with his thumb and says the following formulary:
[If there are a great many elect, additional priests or deacons may assist in carrying out the rite.]
Ephphetha: that is, be opened,
that you may profess the faith you hear,
to the praise and glory of God.
The reading is as expected. The ritual is the same as with infants. Note that only an ordained minister may “open.”
