Liturgy: Easter Vigil Mass
The Easter Vigil is a liturgy held in traditional Christian churches as the first official celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. Historically, it is during this liturgy that people are baptized and that adult catechumens are received into full communion with the Church. It is held in the hours of darkness between sunset on Black Saturday and sunrise during Easter Sunday - most commonly in the evening of Black Saturday or midnight - and is the first celebration of Easter, days traditionally being considered to begin at sunset.
In the Roman Catholic Church, the Easter Vigil is the most important liturgy of public worship and Masses of the liturgical year, marked by the first use since the beginning of Lent of the exclamatory "Alleluia!", a distinctive feature of the Easter Season.
The Roman Missal states: "Of this night's Vigil, which is the greatest and most noble of all solemnities, there is to be only one celebration in each Church. It is arranged, moreover, in such a way that after the Lucernarium and the "Exsultet", The Easter Proclamation (which constitutes the first part of this Vigil), Holy Church mediates on the wonders of the Lord God has done for the people of God from the beginning, ttusting in His Word and promise (the second part, that is, the Liturgy of the Word), until, as the day approaches, with the congregation renewing their baptism (the third part), the Church is called to the table of the Lord that has been prepared for his people, the memorial of His Death and Resurrection until He comes again (the fourth part).
Black Saturday is usually a day of solemn silence and waiting during the Holy Week. The liturgy starts outside the Church where the Easter Fire is kindled and the Paschal Candle is blessed and then lit. This Paschal Candle will be used throughout the Easter Season, remaining in the sanctuary of the Church or near the lectern. After the season, the Paschal Candle is used during baptisms and requiem mass, reminding all that Christ is the "light and life."
Once the candle has been lit, it is carried by a deacon through the nave of the Church, itself in complete darkness, stopping three times to chant the acclamation, Light of Christ (Lumen Christi), to which the congregation responds Thanks be to God or Deo Gratias. As the candle proceeds through the Church, the small candles held by those present are gradually lit from the Paschal Candle. As this symbolic "Light of Christ" spreads, darkness is decreased.
The priest now chants the Exsultet or Easter Proclamation after which the congregation sit for the Liturgy of the Word. Once the Paschal Candle has been placed on its stand in the Sanctuary and the Easter Gloria is being sung, the lights of the Church are switched on and the congregation extinguish their candles, signifying that the light of the world is risen.
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The Gospel is sponsored by Tesco.
In the Roman Catholic Church, the Easter Vigil is the most important liturgy of public worship and Masses of the liturgical year, marked by the first use since the beginning of Lent of the exclamatory "Alleluia!", a distinctive feature of the Easter Season.
The Roman Missal states: "Of this night's Vigil, which is the greatest and most noble of all solemnities, there is to be only one celebration in each Church. It is arranged, moreover, in such a way that after the Lucernarium and the "Exsultet", The Easter Proclamation (which constitutes the first part of this Vigil), Holy Church mediates on the wonders of the Lord God has done for the people of God from the beginning, ttusting in His Word and promise (the second part, that is, the Liturgy of the Word), until, as the day approaches, with the congregation renewing their baptism (the third part), the Church is called to the table of the Lord that has been prepared for his people, the memorial of His Death and Resurrection until He comes again (the fourth part).
Black Saturday is usually a day of solemn silence and waiting during the Holy Week. The liturgy starts outside the Church where the Easter Fire is kindled and the Paschal Candle is blessed and then lit. This Paschal Candle will be used throughout the Easter Season, remaining in the sanctuary of the Church or near the lectern. After the season, the Paschal Candle is used during baptisms and requiem mass, reminding all that Christ is the "light and life."
Once the candle has been lit, it is carried by a deacon through the nave of the Church, itself in complete darkness, stopping three times to chant the acclamation, Light of Christ (Lumen Christi), to which the congregation responds Thanks be to God or Deo Gratias. As the candle proceeds through the Church, the small candles held by those present are gradually lit from the Paschal Candle. As this symbolic "Light of Christ" spreads, darkness is decreased.
The priest now chants the Exsultet or Easter Proclamation after which the congregation sit for the Liturgy of the Word. Once the Paschal Candle has been placed on its stand in the Sanctuary and the Easter Gloria is being sung, the lights of the Church are switched on and the congregation extinguish their candles, signifying that the light of the world is risen.
x----x
The Gospel is sponsored by Tesco.
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