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when our Lord Christ passed from death to The life, the Church invites her children throughout the world to come together in vigil and prayer. This is the of the Lord: THE LIGHTING OF THE FIRE Tonight we remember his death and resurrection The people gather in the dark. The following words and celebrate his victory over death. are spoken. Then the fire is blessed. Brothers and sisters! We have gathered in the darkness of the night because the Lord willingly PASTOR: Let us pray. entered the night of death. Pause for silent prayer.

Today we celebrate his victory over the night. Father, The light tells us that Christ has power to we share in the light of your glory overcome all the darkness of the world and of our through your Son, the light of the world. individual lives. Make this new fire holy, and inflame us with new hope. Purify our minds by this Easter We have gathered in the dark because there is so celebration and bring us one day to the eternal much darkness in us and around us: war, hate, light. murder, the sin that lies within . . . We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. In this night that shall become as bright as the day, we will hear the message: hope is ours The Easter candle is lighted from the new fire. because of the ; we must begin anew, we must be courageous, for in every The Greeting of the Light darkness we have a light, the risen Lord! As the people process into the sanctuary the light is raised and greeted in these words: We meet him in this celebration in the symbol of light, and we cry out to him: - Lightbearer: The Light is Christ Christ our light! PEOPLE: Thanks be to God

We meet him in his word and reflect on how The greeting is sung three times. Once as the mightily this word has acted in the history of begins. Again, half way to the sanctuary. salvation and what it intends to do in our day. Finally after all are assembled. As people enter the door the candle they hold is The waters of will remind us of our own lighted so that the whole sanctuary is made bright by call to faith and will summon us to a new “Yes!” the light of the candles.

In the God calls us to share in the The Praise of the Light Easter banquet which the risen Lord himself Once the people are assembled and the Light has prepares for us. been raised for the third time, the is sung.

All stand with Lighted candles. The Lighting of the Fire The Light is lighted. The following words or The Easter Proclamation something like this is spoken: Sung: Dear friends in Christ, on this most holy night, Rejoice, heavenly powers!

1 Sing, choirs of angels! and grow together in holiness. Exult, all creation around God’s throne! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen! This is the night when Jesus Christ broke the Sound the trumpet of salvation! chains of death and rose triumphant from the grave. Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor, radiant in the brightness of your King! Father, how wonderful you care for us! Christ has conquered! Glory fills you! How boundless your merciful love! To Darkness vanishes for ever! ransom a slave you gave away your Son.

Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory! O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam, The risen Savior shines upon you! which gained for us so great a Redeemer! Let this place resound with joy, echoing the mighty song of all God’s people! The power of this holy night dispels all evil, washes guilt away, restores lost innocence, Spoken: brings mourners joy. PASTOR: The Lord be with you. PEOPLE: And also with you. Night truly blessed when heaven is wedded PASTOR: Lift up your hearts. to earth and man is reconciled with God! PEOPLE: We lift them up to the Lord. PASTOR: Let us give thanks to the Lord our Therefore, heavenly Father, in the joy of this God. night, receive our evening sacrifice of praise. PEOPLE: It is right to give him thanks and praise. Accept this Easter candle. May it always dispel the darkness of this night! Sung: It is truly right that with full hearts and minds May the Morning Star which never sets find and voices we should praise the unseen God, this flame still burning: Christ, that Morning the all-powerful Father, and his only Son, Star, who came back from the dead, and shed our Lord Jesus Christ. his peaceful light on all mankind, your Son who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen For Christ has ransomed us with his blood, and paid for us the price of Adam’s sin All are seated. to our eternal Father! THE SERVICE OF READINGS This is our Passover feast, when Christ, (Short form) the true Lamb, is slain, whose blood The following words introduce the readings. consecrates the homes of all believers. Dear friends in Christ, we have begun our solemn This is the night when first you saved our vigil. Let us now listen attentively to the word of fathers: you freed the people of Israel from God, recalling how he saved his people their slavery and led them dry-shod through throughout history and, in the fullness of time, the sea. sent his own Son to be our Redeemer. This is the night when Christians Through this Easter celebration, may God bring everywhere, washed clean of sin and freed to perfection the saving work he has begun in us from all defilement, are restored to grace

2 The First Reading: Genesis 1:1 - 2:2 Here is sung a Gloria: Congregational Response: (After each reading there Glory, glory to God in the highest, follows a response such as a choir number, a solo, a glory to God 2x (Celtic Gloria) congregational or song). Here a account of the resurrection may be PASTOR: Let us pray. read or this: Pause for silent prayer, if this has not preceded. PASTOR: “Who is it you are looking for?” (Matt. 20:15). Almighty and eternal God, you created all things PEOPLE: “Sir . . . we would like to see in wonderful beauty and order. Help us now to Jesus” (John 12:21). perceive how still more wonderful is the new PASTOR: “Do not be afraid, for I know creation by which in the fullness of time you that you are not looking for redeemed your people through the sacrifice of our Jesus, who was crucified. He is Passover, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for not here; he has risen just as he ever and ever. Amen. said. Come and see the place where he lay” (Matt. 28:5-6). The Second Reading: Exodus 4:15 - 15:1 PEOPLE: “Praise be to the Lord God, Congregational Response. the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds” (Ps. PASTOR: Let us pray. 72:18). Pause for silent prayer, if this has not preceded. PASTOR: “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of Father, even today we see the wonders of the those who have fallen asleep” (1 miracles you worked long ago. You once saved a Cor. 15:20). single nation from slavery, and now you offer PEOPLE: “Praise be to the Lord, for he that salvation to all through baptism. May the showed his wonderful love to peoples of the world become true sons of me” (Ps. 31:21). Abraham and prove worthy of the heritage of PASTOR: Where oh death is your victory? Israel. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Where of death is your sting? Amen. The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law” (1 Cor. The Third Reading: Isaiah 55:1-12 15:55-56). Congregational Response. PEOPLE: “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our PASTOR: Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. Pause for silent prayer, if this has not preceded. 15:57). PASTOR: “Therefore God exalted him to Almighty, every-living God, only hope of the the highest place and gave him world, by the preaching of the prophets the name that is above every you proclaimed the mysteries we are celebrating name” (Phil. 2:9). tonight. Help us to be your faithful people, for it PEOPLE: “Praise be to his glorious name is by your inspiration alone that we can grow in forever; may the whole earth goodness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. be filled with his glory. Amen Amen. and Amen” (Ps. 72:19). PASTOR: “Since, then, you have been An Easter Proclamation raised with Christ, set your All Stand hearts on things above, where

3 Christ is seated at the right hand Through the waters of the Red Sea you led Israel of God” (Col. 3:1). out of slavery, to be an image of God’s holy PEOPLE: “Praise be to the Lord, the people, set free from sin. God of Israel, from ever- lasting to everlasting. Let all In the waters of the Jordan your Son was the people say, ‘Amen’” (Ps. baptized by John and anointed with the Spirit. 106:48). TOGETHER: “Hallelujah! For our Lord Your Son willed that water and blood should God Almighty reigns. Let us flow from his side as he hung upon the cross. rejoice and be glad and give him glory!” (Rev. 19:6-7). After his resurrection he told his disciples: “Go out and teach all nations, baptizing them in The congregation sings an “” as signs of life the name of the Father and of the Son and of the are brought into the sanctuary Holy Spirit.”

Alleluia May all who are buried with Christ in the death of baptism rise also with him to newness of life. The Easter We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Service for the The Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Reaffirmation of Baptism into Covenant the Death and Resurrection of Dear friends, through the paschal mystery we Jesus Christ have been buried with Christ in baptism, so that we may rise with him to a new life. Now that we have completed our lenten observance, let us A Reading: Romans 6:4-12 renew the promises we made in baptism when we rejected Satan and his works, and promised to A Prayer over the water The tip of the Easter candle may be placed in the serve God faithfully in his holy . water as the following prayer is spoken or sung. And so: Father, you express your grace through sacramental signs, which tell us of the wonders PASTOR: Do you reject Satan? of your unseen power. ALL: I do. PASTOR: And all his works? In baptism we use your gift of water, which you ALL: I do. have made a rich symbol to express your grace. PASTOR: And all his empty promises? ALL: I do. At the very dawn of creation your Spirit breathed on the waters, making them the Or: wellspring of all holiness. PASTOR: Do you reject sin, so as to live in The waters of the great flood you made a sign of the freedom of God’s children? the waters of baptism, that make an end of sin ALL: I do. and a new beginning of goodness. PASTOR: Do you reject the glamor of evil,

4 and refuse to be mastered by Verse 4. By dying to sin with Jesus: sin? Give us new life. (Refrain) ALL: I do. Verse 5. By rising with Christ in glory: PASTOR: Do you reject Satan, father of Give us new life. sin and prince of darkness? ALL: Give us new life. ALL: I do. PASTOR: Do you believe in God, the THE EASTER EUCHARIST Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth? PASTOR: ALL: I do. Christ our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed. PASTOR: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, Therefore let us keep the festival. his only Son, our Lord, who was [The Bread and Wine are brought forward and the born of the Virgin Mary, was table is set] crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now A song may be sung seated at the right hand of the Father? The people remain standing. The pastor faces them ALL: I do. and sings or says: PASTOR: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic PASTOR: The Lord be with you. Church, the communion of PEOPLE: And also with you. , the forgiveness of sins, PASTOR: Lift up your hearts. the resurrection of the body, and PEOPLE: We lift them to the Lord. life everlasting? PASTOR: Let us give thanks to the Lord ALL: I do. our God. PASTOR: God, the all-powerful Father of PEOPLE: It is right to give him thanks our Lord Jesus Christ, has given and praise. us a new birth symbolized by water and the Holy Spirit Then, facing the Holy Table, the pastor proceeds symbolized by oil. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always Jesus Christ for ever and ever. and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father ALL: Amen. Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. (A prayer of praise may be added here). The Sprinkling of Water Water is sprinkled on the people as they sing. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company Sprinkling Rite: of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to Refrain: Save us, O God, wash away our sin. proclaim the glory of your Name: Make us your own, one people in your name. TOGETHER: (Said or Sung) Verse 1. With water of life, refresh us. Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and Give us new life. (Refrain) might, heaven and earth are full of your Verse 2. Renew us in soul and body. glory. Hosanna in the highest. Give us new life. (Refrain) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Verse 3. Your Spirit renews creation. Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Give us new life. (Refrain)

5 The people stand or kneel. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy Then the Pastor continues food and drink of new and unending life in him. Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive you made us for yourself; and, when we had this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, fallen into sin and become subject to evil and constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your with all your saints into the joy of your eternal only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, kingdom. to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, offered himself, in obedience to your will, a Almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen. perfect sacrifice for the whole world. And now, as our Savior At the following words concerning the bread, the Christ has taught us, Pastor is to hold it, or lay a hand upon it; and at the we are bold to say, words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to be consecrated. TOGETHER: Our Father, who art in heaven, On the night he was handed over to suffering and hallowed be thy Name, death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and thy kingdom come, when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and thy will be done, gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This on earth as it is in heaven. is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for Give us this day our daily bread. the remembrance of me.” And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those After supper he took the cup of wine; and when who trespass against us. he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, And lead us not into temptation, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the but deliver us from evil. , which is shed for you and for For thine is the kingdom, many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you and the power, and the glory, drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” for ever and ever. Amen .

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: The Breaking of the Bread The Pastor breaks the consecrated Bread and pours Together: Christ has died. wine in the (if small cups are being used, they should be filled before the service). Christ is risen. Christ will come again. A period of silence is kept.

The Pastor continues Then may be sung or said: We celebrate the of our redemption, O PASTOR: Alleluia. Christ our Passover is Father, in this sacrifice of praise and sacrificed for us; thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, PEOPLE: Therefore let us keep the feast. and ascension, we offer you these gifts. Alleluia.

6 In place of, or in addition to, the preceding, some The Easter Vigil contains material from Rupert other suitable anthem may be used. Berger (ed.) Celebrating the Easter Vigil. New York: Pueblo, 1983; The Sacramentary: New Facing the people, the Pastor says the following York: Catholic Book Publishing Co. 1985 and invitation: The . New York: The The Gifts of God for the People of God. Seabury Press, 1949. For the origins of the and may add: Easter Vigil see Thomas J. Talley. The Origins Take them in remembrance that Christ died for of the . New York. Pueblo, you, and feed on him in your hearts, by faith, 1986. with thanksgiving.

The people come forward to receive as the congregation sings sons of death, then resurrection, then communion, and finally of thanksgiving. Prayers for healing may be offered simultaneously.

After Communion, the Pastor says: Let us pray.

TOGETHER: Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Dismissal

Benediction A processional hymn The Sending Forth

PASTOR: Go forth into the world to love and serve the Lord. PEOPLE: Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!

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