Happy Easter Week! Hope you had a happy Easter. I sure did (smile). For those of you who have never been to an
Easter Vigil, today’s post will walk you through it and hopefully motivate you so
that next year you will be in attendance (smile). Good Saturday night hosts the “mother
of all vigils” where the church keeps watch and celebrates the risen Christ
through the Sacraments and awaits his returning glory.
Service of the Light- We begin outside in the darkness with
only fire to guide us. The beauty of the
fire as it shines brightly and the warmth from it brings together the people.
The paschal candle is lit and then the light spreads from it lighting first the
candles of the candidates and then of the assembly signifying God’s light
spreading through the world.
Liturgy of the Word- We enter a dark church, in candle light
we listen to seven readings that guide and recount the outstanding deeds of our
salvific history to the moment of his resurrection culminating with bells,
light and the singing of the Gloria before the Gospel reading.
Liturgy of Baptism –The baptismal water is blessed and
baptisms of older children and adults take place. Usually it’s full submergence in a baptismal font which is really neat because we don’t get to see those very often.
Celebration of Confirmation- We continue with the Sacrament
of Confirmation.
Liturgy of the Eucharist- The final Sacrament of the night.
It is such a beautiful service for so many reasons one is because on that night our church grows with the many newly initiated Catholics! We didn't have any baptisms in our bunch, but quite a few from the Children's RCIA program. It was a beautiful Mass and the power of the risen Lord filled our hearts with hope and endurance to continue forth working for the Kingdom of God... Hope you'll join us next year.
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