The Beauty of the Easter Vigil by Alice Cella,

The crowning moment of the Easter Triduum is the sublimely beautiful Easter Vigil Mass. Structured in a way that allows us to participate fully in the liturgy, we no longer simply observe. The Mass is long, that’s true, but its richness and glory are worth every minute. Only once a year may we experience this liturgy.

It is an ancient rite dating back to the 5th century and its format has been carefully retained through two modern reforms. This Mass rich in symbolism involves us so completely that as it unfolds, Easter becomes the “Greatest Feast” (Pope Leo I) and we truly experience its majesty.

Gathering outside after sundown we are in the darkness around the new fire of Easter. Inside the church every candle is brand new and unlit. Fire is the most expressive and ancient of liturgical symbols. Extin- guished, it symbolizes the death of Christ; rekindled it represents the emergence from the tomb of Christ, the Light of the World. In the tradition begun by St. Patrick, the fire is blessed and the Paschal Candle is prepared. It is decorated with a cross, and five incense grains are inserted representing the wounds of Christ, as Father reminds us that He is the beginning and the end, and that by these wounds we are saved. The numerals of the current year are attached. It is the resurrection symbol and will be lit at every Mass for the next 50 days, and thereafter at funerals and baptisms.

The Paschal Candle is lit from the new fire and carried in procession into the church as Father sings out, “Christ, Our Light”, and we accompany it carrying our unlit candles. We are there now at the dawn of Christianity, present at the sacred moment of the resurrection. Symbolically we enter the darkened church, into a world which soon will be transformed. Servers light their candles from the Paschal Can- dle and light those of persons at the end of the pews. They in turn offer the light to the person alongside and the light is relayed down the pews and aisles softly glowing brighter and brighter. We visualize the effect of Christ coming into the world as its light.

We then experience the beautiful Exultet, Rejoice!, sung by Father Thomas. In it the resurrection is pro- claimed and the heavenly powers are exhorted to “rejoice”, to sing. The earth rejoices too because it is radiant in the brightness of the King, and darkness vanishes forever.

We then hear the Word of God proclaimed in His light. We listen to the seven readings – the story of God and man, beginning with the creation of the world, the land and sea and the universe; then, the cre- ation of man. We hear of the Covenant between God and Abraham. The next story is the Exodus, as God saves His chosen people, and we hear of the wonders He worked. Then the great prophecies unfold and decry man’s infidelity, exhorting him to reform, reminding man that “…you shall be my people and I will be your God”. An Epistle from Paul to the Romans follows and the stunning Gospel relating the discovery of the Resurrection of the Lord.

We have been taken from the dawn of time through the early centuries to the pinnacle of all time and joy rings out as rarely seen and heard. The Gloria swells filling the church with magnificent sound as the candles throughout the church are lit and the lights rise to express the glory of God and bells ring out the great joy of mankind.

After the homily we renew our baptismal promises. We are privileged to witness the baptisms and con- firmations as those whom God has called are welcomed into the Church. Filled with the Spirit, their new life in Christ begins.

The celebration of the Eucharist has new meaning now. The prayers are familiar but our experience this evening has brought us very close to God, to our Savior, and as we receive His precious Body and Blood we have a deeper understanding of union with Christ.

Leaving the church after our spiritual journey into time and filled with the awe and wonder of our God, there is a peace, a calm that comes from knowing we are loved beyond our understanding.

Only once a year does it happen, and we can be there. A l l e l u i a !