025 Holy Saturday Easter Vigil

Light of Christ 2015

If you have never attended an Easter Vigil Mass, I would strongly suggest that you do. Since my childhood it has always been my favorite Liturgical experience. The Church is dark as you enter when you receive your unlit candle. The actual Liturgy, starts outside the church where the Easter fire and the Paschal Candle will be lit and blessed by the Celebrant. The Procession then enters the darkened church as the priest intones in chant, “Light of Christ.” This Chant is repeated three times until the priest arrives at the main altar which is bare. As the procession proceeds down the aisle, light from the Paschal candle is passed to all. The Ceremony continues with just the light of the peoples candles as the Deacon sings the Easter Proclamation.

Now begins the Liturgy of the Word when several Readings from the Old Testament are read and many different prayers are said before the blessing of the Holy Water. Then, those who have completed their instructions in the Faith will be either baptized or merely received into full communion with the Catholic Church as they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. All will now renew their baptismal promises along with the new converts, who have just completed an extensive period of instructions in the Catholic Faith and are now ready to accept its Teachings: Candles are relit as we all proclaim our faith in Christ and His Church. Christ the Light is now made visible to all as we feel His presence in our midst.

At the singing of the Gloria, the candles will be lit, the organ will blast out and the Church bells will ring as the choir burst forth into Song. This is a glorious moment that should stir each of us present and rekindle the flame of the Light of Christ in our hearts: this can be a great witness to those of us who have been baptized as infants, as we see these new mature additions to our Faith. Most of us have experienced dark moments in our spiritual lives and the Church realizes the need for new light to our Faith as she give us this great Liturgical witness on this Easter Vigil Night. Christ died for us on Good Friday but now the Church proclaims Christ is Risen! Keep reminding yourself of that great truth as you receive Holy Communion.

If you are unable to attend this rather long Liturgical Service, I suggest you watch it on EWTN in the comfort of your home. Turn off the lights in the house and let the light from your television remind you of the only source of true Light, which is

Light of Christ. Rejoice! He is Risen, alleluia!