Darkness.
The Easter Vigil begins with darkness.
The darkness itself is the first movement of the liturgy, so we begin our
preparations with that darkness. It represents all darkness,
and all the meanings of darkness - devoid of light; evil thoughts, motivations,
deeds; all that is hidden and secret, deceitful and dishonest, divisive
and abusive, immoral and sinful. It's the darkness of our world, and
the darkness in my heart. If I come to the vigil and restlessly and
impatiently fidget in the dark “until something happens,” I miss the power
of what is about to happen. So, we prepare by readying ourselves to
experience the darkness. It is distasteful and reprehensible, embarrassing
and humbling, fearful and despairing.
Then a light is struck. It breaks
into the darkness.
“O God, who through your son bestowed upon the faithful the fire of your glory,
sanctify + this new fire, we pray, and grant that,
by these Paschal celebrations,
we may be so inflamed with heavenly desires
that with minds made pure,
we may attain festivities of unending spendor.”
The Light of Christ.
The candle lit from the new fire is then processed into the community,and we receive its light and experience thepower of that light as it grows. When the candle is brought front and
center, we celebrate the Easter Proclamation.
This prayer sounds like a Eucharistic Prayer. We give thanks and praise
over this symbol of the Light of Christ in our midst and “consecrate” it as
Christ's presence among us. Reading this proclamation carefully and
letting its joyful song into our hearts is a wonderful way to prepare to feel
its exultant praise at the Vigil.
“Dear brothers and sisters, now that we have begun our solemn Vigil, let us listen with quiet hearts to the Word of God.Let us meditate on how God in times past saved his people and in these, the last days, has sent us his son as our Redeemer. Let us pray that our God may complete this Paschal work of salvation by the fullness of redemption.”
The Word of Our Salvation
History.
There are nine readings and eight psalms or songs that have been prepared to help us with our night's vigil. Each reading is followed by an invitation to pray in silence, which is followed by a special prayer designed for that reading. (The help that comes with the liturgy says this: “The number of readings from the Old Testament may be reduced for pastoral reasons, but it must always be borne in mind that the reading of the word of God is the fundamental element of the Easter Vigil.”) If we have time on Saturday, a wonderful way to prepare for the Vigil would be to read the readings and psalms and then articulate prayer to the Lord, expressing gratitude to God for an extraordinary story of fidelity and love for us.
After the last reading from the Old Testament, the candles are lit and the bells ring as we sing our Glory to God. Now we are ready to hear the New Testament word in the light of Christ, and the good news, “He has been raised!” Powerful religious experience is prepared for. At this point in the liturgy, we want to be prepared to be exultant with joy at the resurrection of Jesus - the victory of our God over sin and death - for us.
The Liturgy of Baptism.
The Presiders and ministers go to the font
of baptism, thereby drawing us together there. (The ritual says that if
the font can't be seen by the congregation, then “water is placed in the
sanctuary.”) Those who are to be baptized are called forward, along
with their sponsors. In our excitement for them, we realize that this
is very much about the renewal of our whole community. Initiation and
revitalization become one this night.
“Dearly beloved, with one heart and one soul, let us by our prayers come to the aid of these our brothers and sisters in their blessed hope, so that as they approach the font of rebirth, the almighty Father may bestow on them all his merciful help.”
The
Litany
We turn to the community of saints in glory
to ask for their help. We remember that we do this same litany before
the ordination of priests. As we turn to each of these saints we recall
how these very special women and men journeyed in situations very much like
ours and let God transform their lives, and that they are now in glory interceding
for us. In our hearts we might also turn to the saints we have known,
who are not part of this list, whose love we have known and to whom we can
turn tonight to intercede for these candidates for baptism and for our whole
community.
“Give new life to these
chosen ones by the grace of baptism.”
The Blessing
of the Water
The Presider now blesses the water.
These wonderful prayers are like a mini lesson, both for those about to be
baptized, and for us. We can prepare by praying this prayer before
the Vigil, at the link to the right. When the priest inserts the candle
in the water and pull it out and lifts it up, we experience the ritual that
announces the meaning of our baptism into these waters - one with him in
dying that we might be one with him in rising.
The Profession
of Faith and Renunciation of Evil
We have renewed our baptismal promises many
times. We can prepare to make the Easter Vigil a powerful experience
of grace if we make each of the renunciations and professions with a meaning
that is personal to us.
“Do you reject sin, so as
to live in the freedom of God's children?”
That question begs me to spontaneously say,
“YES! Of course!” But, reflection tells me that I long to be free
at the same time that I cling to some of my unfreedoms. So the next
question takes me deeper.
“Do you reject the glamor
of evil, and refuse to be mastered by sin?”
There really is a glamor to evil and
it does claim a mastery over me. The renunciation that is asked of
me is about freedom, so I am asked if I will personally choose to be free
and reject the rules the sin and darkness.
“Do you reject Satan, father
of sin and prince of darkness?”
Now I am ready to profess the faith of the
Church, choosing to believe in the One who gives me life.
Baptism
and the Rites Explaining Baptism.
The candidates are baptized. Even if
our church isn't able to immerse the baptized into the water, the ritual
of pouring water over their heads is meant to be a sign of their entry into
the waters of baptism. We should feel the power of this moment and open
our hearts to its joy, for them and for ourselves.
The newly
baptized are anointed, with the same oil used to anoint priests.
“He now anoints you with
the chrism of salvation, so that, united with his people, you may remain
forever a member of Christ who is Priest, Prophet, and King.”
They
are then clothed in a white garment.
“You have become a new creation
and have clothed yourselves in Christ. Receive this baptismal garment and
bring it unstained to the judgment seat of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that
you may have everlasting life.”
Finally, they receive a candle lit from
the Easter fire.
“You have been enlightened
by Christ. Walk always as children of the light and keep the flame of faith
alive in your hearts. When the Lord comes, may you go out to meet
him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom.”
The Celebration of Confirmation
The newly baptized and those who are
about to be received into full communion are ready to “share in the outpouring
of the Holy Spirit.” We all pray in silence, and feel the power of
God's Spirit among us. And in silence, the Presider lays hands on each
person, the same sign used in ordination to the priesthood. As they
are anointed, we can imagine the gifts of the Spirit that we have received
and can let ourselves feel the grace offered us to be strong witnesses to
the union with Jesus in mission that we are offered. The newly confirmed
take their places in the assembly of the faithful, ready to join us for the
first time at the table of the Lord.
The Eucharist.
All our preparations, all the power of this night's rituals and sacraments, lead us to celebrate the Eucharist, to “give God thanks and praise.” As the newly confirmed receive the final Sacrament of Initiation, the Body and Blood of Jesus, we are ready to celebrate Easter.
The tomb is empty. There is Light in the midst of our darkness. We've been fed by the Word and given new life in the waters of baptism. Now we eat his Body and drink his Blood and receive the life in him that he promises.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
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The Easter Proclamation
First Reading:
Genesis
1:1--2:2 or 1:1, 26-31
Responsorial Psalm:
Psalms 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35,
or Psalms 33:4-5, 6-7, 12-13, 20-22
Second Reading:
Genesis
22:1-18 or 22:1-2, 9, 10-13, 15-18
Responsorial Psalm:
Psalms 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11
Third Reading:
Exodus
14:15--15:1
Responsorial Psalm:
Exodus 15:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 17-18
Fourth Reading:
Isaiah
54:5-14
Responsorial Psalm:
Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13
Fifth Reading:
Isaiah
55:1-11
Responsorial Psalm:
Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
Sixth Reading:
Baruch
3:9-15, 32--4:4
Responsorial Psalm:
Psalms 19:8, 9, 10, 11
Seventh Reading:
Ezekiel
36:16-28
Responsorial Psalm:
Psalms 42:3, 5; 43:3, 4,
or Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6,
or Psalms 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19
Epistle:
Romans
6:3-11
Responsorial Psalm:
Psalms 118:1-2, 16, 17, 22-23
Gospel:
Mark 16: 1-8
Read the Prayers
that
accompany
the
readings
during
the Vigil
“Do not be amazed!
You seek Jesus of Nazareth,
the crucified.
He has been raised;
he is not here.
Behold the place
where they laid him.
But go and tell his
disciples and Peter,
'He is going before you
to Galilee; there you will see him,
as he told you.'”
Daily Reflection
Link to the
reflection
for
Easter
Blessing
of Water
Praying the
Renewal of our
Baptismal
Promises
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