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Home , Easter Vigil, Paschal candle, Vigil (liturgy)

April 10 ] friDAY

THE LITURGY

PART 1: LUCERNARIUM The is lit from a new fire and carried into the darkened , as “Christ our light” is proclaimed three times. The ancient chant, the Exultet, rejoices at the present reality of God’s deliverance and the blessings of salvation through the of Christ.

PART 2: LITURGY OF THE WORD The of readings and recalls the history of the Jewish covenant leading up to Christ. These readings cover the time from cre- ation to the promise of the final gathering of God’s people, inter- preted through the central experience of the Exodus.

PART 3: BAPTISMAL LITURGY In the early Church, the was the time for . Those who had received instruction (over a period of up to three years) and had prepared by and prayer were presented for initiation into the Christian community. Affirming the baptismal creed, they were baptized and then donned white garments. The newly baptized then received the laying-on of hands by the , were sealed with chrism (con- secrated oil), and received Holy .

PART 4: LITURGY OF THE Now in bread and wine, comes among us in the Eucharist. He comes into the dark- ness of our lives with his risen life. The time of waiting is com- pleted, yet we also look ahead to the final fulfillment of the paschal banquet when we shall see him face to face. livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 119 gooholyd s Faritudayrday of: thethe epasterssion v ofigil the lord

Today in Focus APRIL 11 » : THE EASTER VIGIL “Go and tell”

The two Marys in the we hear this Easter night are the first evangelists. Jewish women living under Roman occupation, they risked everything to stand nearby as Jesus was beaten, was mocked, was nailed to a cross, and then died. These two women alone came to his tomb as soon as the Sabbath was complete, even though Roman guards were posted there. They carried Jesus’ instructions to Peter and the other disciples who were still in hiding. We don’t live in 33 AD in Galilee, and our world is a far different one. Yet the good news of Jesus Christ is still the best news in the world! The God who made us, who loves us, who yearns for us to enter into Divine Love and to share it with others, is the same God who called the two Marys to their mission. Each of us receives the good news from another, someone who cares about us, walks with us, accompanies us on our journey. Each of us is to go and do likewise. Today’s Christian community shares the same mission as Mary Magdalene, the other Mary, the apostles, and every follower of Jesus Christ since that day at the tomb. Our Easter mission is to “go and tell.” And when necessary, use words. ] marilyn j. sweet

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SATURDAY (brothers and sisters), APRIL 11 on this most sacred night, HOLY SATURDAY: in which our Lord Jesus Christ THE EASTER VIGIL passed over from death to life, the Church calls upon There is no celebrated during the her sons and daughters, day on Holy Saturday. This absence of scattered throughout the world, celebration reminds us that today we to come together to watch wait at the Lord’s tomb, meditating and pray. on his suffering and death. If we keep the But during the night, we anticipate of the Lord’s paschal his resurrection with one of the most in this way, ancient rites—a solemn vigil, leading listening to his word and into the celebration of Easter with a celebrating his mysteries, joy that overflows into the fifty days of then we shall have the sure celebration of the Easter Season. hope The Easter Vigil is arranged in four of sharing his triumph parts: the Lucernarium, the Liturgy of over death the Word, the Baptismal Liturgy, and and living with him in God. the Liturgy of the Eucharist (for more information, see page 119). Let us pray. O God, who through your Son the lucernarium bestowed upon the faithful The celebration begins with the the fire of your glory, . sanctify this new fire, we pray, and grant that, BLESSING OF THE FIRE by these paschal celebrations, Dear brethren we may be so inflamed livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 121 Holy Saturday: the Easter vigil

with heavenly desires, may Christ the Lord guard us that with minds made pure and protect us. Amen. we may attain festivities of unending splendor. LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE Through Christ our Lord. The celebrant lights the Easter candle Amen. from the new fire, saying:

PREPARATION OF THE CANDLE May the light of Christ The celebrant cuts a cross in the rising in glory Easter candle and traces the Greek dispel the darkness of our letters alpha (A) and omega (Ω) hearts and minds. and the numerals 2020, saying: WITH Christ yesterday and today; THE EASTER CANDLE the Beginning and the End; The or takes the Easter the Alpha; and the Omega. candle and, three times during the All time belongs to him; procession to the , lifts it high and and all the ages. sings alone. Then the people respond. To him be glory and power; through every age The Light of Christ. and for ever. Amen. Thanks be to God.

When the marks have been made, After the second response, all light the celebrant may insert five grains their candles with a flame taken from of in the candle, saying: the Easter candle.

By his holy and glorious EASTER PROCLAMATION (Exultet) wounds, For the shorter version, omit the

122 HOLY WEEK 2020 livingwithchrist.us April 11 ] Saturday indented parts in brackets. invoke with me, I ask you, the mercy of God almighty, Exult, let them exult, that he, who has been the hosts of heaven, pleased to number me, exult, let Angel ministers of though unworthy, God exult, among the Levites, let the trumpet of salvation may pour into me sound aloud our mighty his light unshadowed, King’s triumph! that I may sing this Be glad, let earth be glad, candle’s perfect praises).] as glory floods her, ablaze with light (The Lord be with you. from her eternal King, And with your spirit.) let all corners of the earth Lift up your hearts. be glad, We lift them up to the Lord. knowing an end to gloom Let us give thanks and darkness. to the Lord our God. Rejoice, let Mother Church It is right and just. also rejoice, arrayed with the lightning It is truly right and just, of his glory, with ardent love of mind let this holy building shake and heart with joy, and with devoted service of filled with the mighty voices our voice, of the peoples. to acclaim our God invisible, [(Therefore, dearest friends, the almighty Father, standing in the awesome and Jesus Christ, our Lord, glory of this holy light, his Son, his Only Begotten. livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 123 Holy Saturday: the Easter vigil

Who for our sake paid Adam’s from worldly vices debt to the eternal Father, and from the gloom of sin, and, pouring out his own leading them to grace dear Blood, and joining them to his wiped clean the record holy ones. of our ancient sinfulness. This is the night, These, then, are the feasts when Christ broke of Passover, the prison-bars of death in which is slain the Lamb, and rose victorious the one true Lamb, from the underworld. whose Blood anoints the doorposts of believers. [Our birth would have been no gain, This is the night, had we not been redeemed.] when once you led our forebears, Israel’s children, O wonder of your humble from slavery in Egypt care for us! and made them pass dry-shod O love, O charity beyond through the Red Sea. all telling, This is the night to ransom a slave you gave that with a pillar of fire away your Son! banished the darkness of sin. O truly necessary sin of Adam, This is the night destroyed completely that even now, throughout by the Death of Christ! the world, sets Christian believers apart

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O happy fault The longer version ending: that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer! On this, your night of grace, O holy Father, [O truly blessed night, accept this candle, worthy alone to know a solemn offering, the time and hour the work of bees and of your when Christ rose from servants’ hands, the underworld! an evening sacrifice of praise, this gift from your most This is the night holy Church. of which it is written: The night shall be But now we know as bright as day, the praises of this pillar, dazzling is the night for me, which glowing fire ignites for and full of gladness.] God’s honor, a fire into many flames The sanctifying power divided, of this night yet never dimmed dispels wickedness, by sharing of its light, washes faults away, for it is fed by melting wax, restores innocence to the drawn out by mother bees fallen, and joy to mourners, to build a torch so precious. [drives out hatred, fosters concord, and brings O truly blessed night, down the mighty.] when things of heaven are wed to those of earth, and divine to the human. livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 125 Holy Saturday: the Easter vigil

Therefore, O Lord, The shorter version ending: we pray you that this candle, hallowed to the honor of O truly blessed night, your name, when things of heaven are may persevere undimmed, wed to those of earth to overcome the darkness of and divine to the human. this night. On this, your night of grace, Receive it as a pleasing O holy Father, fragrance, accept this candle, a solemn and let it mingle with offering, the lights of heaven. the work of bees and of your servants’ hands, May this flame be found an evening sacrifice of praise, still burning this gift from your most by the Morning Star: holy Church. the one Morning Star who Therefore, O Lord, never sets, we pray you that this candle, Christ your Son, hallowed to the honor of who, coming back your name, from death’s domain, may persevere undimmed, has shed his peaceful light to overcome the darkness of on humanity, this night. and lives and reigns Receive it as a pleasing for ever and ever. Amen. fragrance, and let it mingle with the lights of heaven. May this flame be found

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still burning Let us pray that our God may by the Morning Star: complete this paschal work the one Morning Star who of salvation never sets, by the fullness of redemption. Christ your Son, who, coming back FIRST READING (Genesis 1:1–2:2) from death’s domain, For the shorter version, omit the has shed his peaceful light indented parts in brackets. on humanity, and lives and reigns for ever In the beginning, when God and ever. Amen. created the heavens and the earth, [the earth was a formless the liturgy wasteland, and darkness of the word covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the Dear brethren waters. (brothers and sisters), Then God said, “Let there now that we have begun be light,” and there was our solemn Vigil, light. God saw how good let us listen with quiet hearts the light was. God then sep- to the Word of God. arated the light from the Let us meditate on how God darkness. God called the in times past saved light “day,” and the darkness his people he called “night.” Thus eve- and in these, the last days, ning came, and morning has sent us his Son as followed—the first day. our Redeemer. Then God said, “Let there livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 127 Holy Saturday: the Easter vigil

be a dome in the middle of fruit with its seed in it.” And the waters, to separate one so it happened: the earth body of water from the brought forth every kind other.” And so it happened: of plant that bears seed and God made the dome, and it every kind of fruit tree on separated the water above earth that bears fruit with the dome from the water its seed in it. God saw how below it. God called the good it was. Evening came, dome “the sky.” Evening and morning followed— came, and morning fol- the third day. lowed—the second day. Then God said: “Let there Then God said, “Let the be lights in the dome of the water under the sky be sky, to separate day from gathered into a single basin, night. Let them mark the so that the dry land may fixed times, the days and the appear.” And so it happened: years, and serve as luminar- the water under the sky ies in the dome of the sky, to was gathered into its basin, shed light upon the earth.” and the dry land appeared. And so it happened: God God called the dry land made the two great lights, “the earth,” and the basin the greater one to govern of the water he called “the the day, and the lesser one sea.” God saw how good it to govern the night; and was. Then God said, “Let he made the stars. God set the earth bring forth vegeta- them in the dome of the tion: every kind of plant that sky, to shed light upon the bears seed and every kind of earth, to govern the day and fruit tree on earth that bears the night, and to separate

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the light from the darkness. so it happened: God made God saw how good it was. all kinds of wild animals, all Evening came, and morning kinds of cattle, and all kinds followed—the fourth day. of creeping things of the Then God said, “Let the earth. God saw how good it water teem with an abun- was. Then] dance of living creatures, God said: “Let us make man in and on the earth let birds our image, after our likeness. fly beneath the dome of the Let them have dominion over sky.” And so it happened: the fish of the sea, the birds God created the great sea of the air, and the cattle, and monsters and all kinds of over all the wild animals and swimming creatures with all the creatures that crawl on which the water teems, and the ground.” all kinds of winged birds. God created man God saw how good it was, in his image; and God blessed them, say- in the image of God ing, “Be fertile, multiply, and he created him; fill the water of the seas; and male and female let the birds multiply on the he created them. earth.” Evening came, and God blessed them, saying: morning followed—the “Be fertile and multiply; fill fifth day. the earth and subdue it. Have Then God said, “Let the dominion over the fish of the earth bring forth all kinds sea, the birds of the air, and all of living creatures: cattle, the living things that move on creeping things, and wild the earth.” God also said: “See, animals of all kinds.” And I give you every seed-bearing livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 129 Holy Saturday: the Easter vigil plant all over the earth and An alternate psalm follows. every tree that has seed-bear- ing fruit on it to be your food; RESPONSORIAL PSALM and to all the animals of the (:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35) land, all the birds of the air, r∙ Lord, send out your Spirit, and and all the living creatures that renew the face of the earth. crawl on the ground, I give all Bless the Lord, O my soul! the green plants for food.” And O Lord, my God, you are so it happened. God looked at great indeed! everything he had made, and You are clothed with majesty he found it very good. and glory, [Evening came, and morn- robed in light as with ing followed—the sixth day. a cloak. r∙ Thus the heavens and the You fixed the earth upon its earth and all their array were foundation, completed. Since on the sev- not to be moved forever; enth day God was finished with the ocean, as with a with the work he had been garment, you covered it; doing, he rested on the sev- above the mountains enth day from all the work the waters stood. r∙ he had undertaken.] You send forth springs The word of the Lord. into the watercourses Thanks be to God. that wind among the mountains. Beside them the birds of heaven dwell; from among the branches they send forth

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their song. r∙ of the kindness of the You water the mountains Lord the earth is full. r∙ from your palace; By the word of the Lord the earth is replete with the heavens were made; the fruit of your works. by the breath of his You raise grass for the cattle, mouth all their host. and vegetation for man’s use, He gathers the waters of producing bread from the sea as in a flask; the earth. r∙ in cellars he confines How manifold are your the deep. r∙ works, O Lord! Blessed the nation whose In wisdom you have God is the Lord, wrought them all— the people he has chosen the earth is full of your for his own inheritance. creatures. From heaven the Lord Bless the Lord, O my soul! looks down; r∙ he sees all mankind. r∙ Our soul waits for the Lord, OR who is our help and RESPONSORIAL PSALM our shield. (Psalm 33:4-5, 6-7, 12-13, 20 and 22) May your kindness, O Lord, r∙ The earth is full of the be upon us goodness of the Lord. who have put our hope Upright is the word in you. r∙ of the Lord, and all his works PRAYER are trustworthy. Almighty ever-living God, He loves justice and right; who are wonderful in the livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 131 Holy Saturday: the Easter vigil

ordering of all your works, SECOND READING (Genesis 22:1-18) may those you have For the shorter version, omit the redeemed understand indented parts in brackets. that there exists nothing more marvelous God put Abraham to the test. than the world’s creation in He called to him, “Abraham!” the beginning “Here I am,” he replied. Then except that, at the end God said: “Take your son Isaac, of the ages, your only one, whom you love, Christ our Passover and go to the land of Moriah. has been sacrificed. There you shall offer him up Who lives and reigns as a holocaust on a height that for ever and ever. Amen. I will point out to you.” [Early the next morning OR Abraham saddled his don- O God, who wonderfully key, took with him his son created human nature Isaac and two of his servants and still more wonderfully as well, and with the wood redeemed it, that he had cut for the holo- grant us, we pray, caust, set out for the place to set our minds against of which God had told him. the enticements of sin, On the third day that we may merit to attain Abraham got sight of the eternal joys. place from afar. Then he Through Christ our Lord. said to his servants: “Both Amen. of you stay here with the donkey, while the boy and I go on over yonder. We will

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worship and then come the knife to slaughter his son. back to you.” Thereupon But the Lord’s messenger Abraham took the wood called to him from heaven, for the holocaust and laid it “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I on his son Isaac’s shoulders, am,” he answered. “Do not lay while he himself carried your hand on the boy,” said the fire and the knife. As the messenger. “Do not do the the two walked on together, least thing to him. I know now Isaac spoke to his father how devoted you are to God, Abraham: “Father!” Isaac since you did not withhold said. “Yes, son,” he replied. from me your own beloved Isaac continued, “Here are son.” As Abraham looked the fire and the wood, but about, he spied a ram caught where is the sheep for the by its horns in the thicket. So holocaust?” “Son,” Abraham he went and took the ram and answered, “God himself will offered it up as a holocaust in provide the sheep for the place of his son. holocaust.” Then the two [Abraham named the site continued going forward.] Yahweh-yireh; hence people When they came to the now say, “On the mountain place of which God had told the Lord will see.”] him, Abraham built an altar Again the Lord’s messen- there and arranged the wood ger called to Abraham from on it. heaven and said: “I swear by [Next he tied up his son myself, declares the Lord, that Isaac, and put him on top because you acted as you did in of the wood on the altar.] not withholding from me your Then he reached out and took beloved son, I will bless you livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 133 Holy Saturday: the Easter vigil abundantly and make your my soul to the netherworld, descendants as countless as the nor will you suffer your stars of the sky and the sands faithful one to undergo of the seashore; your descen- corruption. r∙ dants shall take possession of You will show me the path the gates of their enemies, and to life, in your descendants all the fullness of joys in nations of the earth shall find your presence, blessing—all this because you the delights at your obeyed my command.” right hand forever. r∙ The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. PRAYER O God, supreme Father RESPONSORIAL PSALM of the faithful, (Psalm 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11) who increase the children r∙ You are my inheritance, O Lord. of your promise O Lord, my allotted portion by pouring out the grace and my cup, of adoption you it is who hold fast throughout the whole world my lot. and who through the I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand make your servant Abraham I shall not be disturbed. r∙ father of nations, Therefore my heart is glad as once you swore, and my soul rejoices, grant, we pray, my body, too, abides that your peoples may enter in confidence; worthily because you will not abandon into the grace to which you

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call them. took up its place behind Through Christ our Lord. them, so that it came between Amen. the camp of the Egyptians and that of Israel. But the THIRD READING (Exodus 14:15–15:1) cloud now became dark, and The Lord said to Moses, “Why thus the night passed with- are you crying out to me? Tell out the rival camps coming the Israelites to go forward. any closer together all night And you, lift up your staff and, long. Then Moses stretched with hand outstretched over out his hand over the sea, and the sea, split the sea in two, the Lord swept the sea with that the Israelites may pass a strong east wind through- through it on dry land. But out the night and so turned it I will make the Egyptians so into dry land. When the water obstinate that they will go in was thus divided, the Israelites after them. Then I will receive marched into the midst of the glory through Pharaoh and all sea on dry land, with the water his army, his chariots and char- like a wall to their right and to ioteers. The Egyptians shall their left. know that I am the Lord, The Egyptians followed in when I receive glory through pursuit; all Pharaoh’s horses Pharaoh and his chariots and and chariots and charioteers charioteers.” went after them right into the The angel of God, who had midst of the sea. In the night been leading Israel’s camp, watch just before dawn the now moved and went around Lord cast through the col- behind them. The column of umn of the fiery cloud upon cloud also, leaving the front, the Egyptian force a glance livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 135 Holy Saturday: the Easter vigil that threw it into a panic; and on dry land through the midst he so clogged their chariot of the sea, with the water wheels that they could hardly like a wall to their right and drive. With that the Egyptians to their left. Thus the Lord sounded the retreat before saved Israel on that day from Israel, because the Lord was the power of the Egyptians. fighting for them against the When Israel saw the Egyptians Egyptians. lying dead on the seashore and Then the Lord told Moses, beheld the great power that “Stretch out your hand the Lord had shown against over the sea, that the water the Egyptians, they feared the may flow back upon the Lord and believed in him and Egyptians, upon their chari- in his servant Moses. ots and their charioteers.” So Then Moses and the Israel- Moses stretched out his hand ites sang this song to the Lord: over the sea, and at dawn the I will sing to the Lord, sea flowed back to its normal for he is gloriously depth. The Egyptians were triumphant; fleeing head on toward the horse and chariot he has sea, when the Lord hurled cast into the sea. them into its midst. As the The word of the Lord. water flowed back, it covered Thanks be to God. the chariots and the chari- oteers of Pharaoh’s whole RESPONSORIAL CANTICLE army which had followed the (Exodus 15:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 17-18) Israelites into the sea. Not a r∙ Let us sing to the Lord; he has single one of them escaped. covered himself in glory. But the Israelites had marched I will sing to the Lord, for he

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is gloriously triumphant; the place where you made horse and chariot he has your seat, O Lord, cast into the sea. the , Lord, which My strength and my courage your hands established. is the Lord, The Lord shall reign and he has been my savior. for ever and ever. r∙ He is my God, I praise him; the God of my father, PRAYER I extol him. r∙ O God, whose ancient wonders The Lord is a warrior, remain undimmed in Lord is his name! splendor even in our day, Pharaoh’s chariots and army for what you once bestowed he hurled into the sea; on a single people, the elite of his officers freeing them from Pharaoh’s were submerged persecution in the Red Sea. r∙ by the power of your The flood waters covered them, right hand, they sank into the depths now you bring about as the like a stone. salvation of the nations Your right hand, O Lord, through the waters of rebirth, magnificent in power, grant, we pray, that the your right hand, O Lord, whole world has shattered the enemy. r∙ may become children of You brought in the people Abraham you redeemed and inherit the dignity and planted them of Israel’s birthright. on the mountain Through Christ our Lord. of your inheritance— Amen.

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OR called God of all the earth. O God, who by the light The Lord calls you back, of the New Testament like a wife forsaken have unlocked the meaning and grieved in spirit, of wonders worked in a wife married in youth former times, and then cast off, so that the Red Sea prefigures says your God. the sacred font For a brief moment and the nation delivered I abandoned you, from slavery but with great tenderness foreshadows the Christian I will take you back. people, In an outburst of wrath, grant, we pray, that all nations, for a moment obtaining the privilege of I hid my face from you; Israel by merit of faith, but with enduring love may be reborn by partaking I take pity on you, of your Spirit. says the Lord, Through Christ our Lord. your redeemer. Amen. This is for me like the days of Noah, FOURTH READING (Isaiah 54:5-14) when I swore that the The One who has become waters of Noah your husband is should never again your Maker; deluge the earth; his name is the Lord so I have sworn not of hosts; to be angry with you, your redeemer is the Holy or to rebuke you. One of Israel, Though the mountains

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leave their place cannot come near you. and the hills be shaken, The word of the Lord. my love shall never leave you Thanks be to God. nor my covenant of peace be shaken, RESPONSORIAL PSALM says the Lord, who has (Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13) mercy on you. r∙ I will praise you, Lord, O afflicted one, for you have rescued me. storm-battered I will extol you, O Lord, and unconsoled, for you drew me clear I lay your pavements and did not let my in carnelians, enemies rejoice over me. and your foundations O Lord, you brought me up in sapphires; from the netherworld; I will make your you preserved me from battlements of rubies, among those going your gates of carbuncles, down into the pit. r∙ and all your walls Sing praise to the Lord, of precious stones. you his faithful ones, All your children shall be and give thanks to his taught by the Lord, holy name. and great shall be the For his anger lasts but a peace of your children. moment; In justice shall you be a lifetime, his good will. established, At nightfall, weeping enters in, far from the fear but with the dawn, rejoicing. of oppression, r∙ where destruction Hear, O Lord, and have

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pity on me; FIFTH READING (Isaiah 55:1-11) O Lord, be my helper. Thus says the Lord: You changed my mourning All you who are thirsty, into dancing; come to the water! O Lord, my God, forever You who have no money, will I give you thanks. come, receive grain and eat; r∙ I will praise you, Lord, come, without paying for you have rescued me. and without cost, drink wine and milk! PRAYER Why spend your money Almighty ever-living God, for what is not bread, surpass, for the honor of your wages for what fails your name, to satisfy? what you pledged to the Heed me, and you shall Patriarchs by reason of eat well, their faith, you shall delight in and through sacred adoption rich fare. increase the children of Come to me heedfully, your promise, listen, that you may so that what the of old have life. never doubted would come I will renew with you to pass the everlasting covenant, your Church may now see in the benefits assured great part fulfilled. to David. Through Christ our Lord. As I made him a witness Amen. to the peoples, a leader and commander of nations,

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so shall you summon and my thoughts above a nation you knew not, your thoughts. and nations that knew you not shall run to you, For just as from the heavens because of the Lord, the rain and snow your God, come down the Holy One of Israel, and do not return there who has glorified you. till they have watered the earth, Seek the Lord while he making it fertile and may be found, fruitful, call him while he is near. giving seed to the one Let the scoundrel forsake who sows his way, and bread to the one and the wicked man who eats, his thoughts; so shall my word be let him turn to the Lord that goes forth from for mercy; my mouth; to our God, who my word shall not return is generous in forgiving. to me void, For my thoughts are not but shall do my will, your thoughts, achieving the end nor are your ways for which I sent it. my ways, says the Lord. The word of the Lord. As high as the heavens Thanks be to God. are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways

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RESPONSORIAL CANTICLE PRAYER (Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6) Almighty ever-living God, r∙ You will draw water joyfully sole hope of the world, from the springs of salvation. who by the preaching God indeed is my savior; of your Prophets I am confident and unafraid. unveiled the mysteries My strength and my courage of this present age, is the Lord, graciously increase and he has been my savior. the longing of your people, With joy you will draw water for only at the prompting at the fountain of salvation. of your grace r∙ do the faithful progress Give thanks to the Lord, in any kind of virtue. acclaim his name; Through Christ our Lord. among the nations make Amen. known his deeds, proclaim how exalted SIXTH READING is his name. r∙ (Baruch 3:9-15, 32–4:4) Sing praise to the Lord for Hear, O Israel, the his glorious achievement; commandments of life: let this be known listen, and know throughout all the earth. prudence! Shout with exultation, How is it, Israel, O city of Zion, that you are in the land for great in your midst of your foes, is the Holy One of Israel! grown old in a foreign land, r∙ defiled with the dead, accounted with those

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destined for four-footed beasts; the netherworld? he who dismisses You have forsaken the light, and it departs, the fountain of wisdom! calls it, and it obeys him Had you walked in trembling; the way of God, before whom the stars you would have dwelt at their posts in enduring peace. shine and rejoice; Learn where prudence is, when he calls them, they where strength, answer, “Here we are!” where understanding; shining with joy that you may know also for their Maker. where are length of days, Such is our God; and life, no other is to be where light of the eyes, compared to him: and peace. he has traced out the whole Who has found the place way of understanding, of wisdom, and has given her who has entered into her to Jacob, his servant, treasuries? to Israel, his beloved son.

The One who knows all Since then she has things knows her; appeared on earth, he has probed her and moved among people. by his knowledge— She is the book of The One who established the precepts of God, the earth for all time, the law that endures and filled it with forever; livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 143 Holy Saturday: the Easter vigil

all who cling to her will live, are right, but those will die who rejoicing the heart; forsake her. the command of the Lord Turn, O Jacob, is clear, and receive her: enlightening the eye. r∙ walk by her light toward The fear of the Lord is pure, splendor. enduring forever; Give not your glory the ordinances of the Lord to another, are true, your privileges all of them just. r∙ to an alien race. They are more precious Blessed are we, O Israel; than gold, for what pleases God than a heap of purest gold; is known to us! sweeter also than syrup The word of the Lord. or honey from the comb. r∙ Thanks be to God. PRAYER RESPONSORIAL PSALM O God, who constantly (Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11) increase your Church r∙ Lord, you have the words by your call to the nations, of everlasting life. graciously grant The law of the Lord is perfect, to those you wash clean refreshing the soul; in the waters of the decree of the Lord the assurance of your is trustworthy, unfailing protection. giving wisdom to the Through Christ our Lord. simple. r∙ Amen. The precepts of the Lord

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SEVENTH READING of Israel: Thus says the Lord (Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28) God: Not for your sakes do I The word of the Lord came act, house of Israel, but for the to me, saying: Son of man, sake of my holy name, which when the house of Israel lived you profaned among the in their land, they defiled it nations to which you came. I by their conduct and deeds. will prove the holiness of my Therefore I poured out my great name, profaned among fury upon them because of the the nations, in whose midst blood that they poured out on you have profaned it. Thus the the ground, and because they nations shall know that I am defiled it with idols. I scattered the Lord, says the Lord God, them among the nations, dis- when in their sight I prove my persing them over foreign holiness through you. For I will lands; according to their con- take you away from among the duct and deeds I judged them. nations, gather you from all But when they came among the foreign lands, and bring the nations wherever they you back to your own land. I came, they served to profane will sprinkle clean water upon my holy name, because it was you to cleanse you from all said of them: “These are the your impurities, and from all people of the Lord, yet they your idols I will cleanse you. had to leave their land.” So I I will give you a new heart have relented because of my and place a new spirit within holy name which the house you, taking from your bod- of Israel profaned among the ies your stony hearts and giv- nations where they came. ing you natural hearts. I will Therefore say to the house put my spirit within you and livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 145 Holy Saturday: the Easter vigil make you live by my statutes, keeping festival. r∙ careful to observe my decrees. Send forth your light You shall live in the land I gave and your fidelity; your fathers; you shall be my they shall lead me on people, and I will be your God. and bring me to your The word of the Lord. holy mountain, Thanks be to God. to your dwelling-place. r∙ Then will I go in to When baptism is celebrated, sing the altar of God, /43 (this page); when bap- the God of my gladness tism is not celebrated, sing Isaiah 12 and joy; (page 142) or Psalm 51 (this page). then will I give you thanks upon the harp, RESPONSORIAL PSALM O God, my God! r∙ (Psalm 42:3, 5; 43:3, 4) r∙ Like a deer that longs for OR running streams, my soul RESPONSORIAL PSALM longs for you, my God. (Psalm 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19) Athirst is my soul for God, r∙ Create a clean heart in me, the living God. O God. When shall I go and behold A clean heart create for me, the face of God? r∙ O God, I went with the throng and a steadfast spirit and led them in procession renew within me. to the house of God, Cast me not out from amid loud cries of joy your presence, and thanksgiving, and your with the multitude take not from me. r∙

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Give me back the joy may the whole world know of your salvation, and see and a willing spirit that what was cast down is sustain in me. raised up, I will teach transgressors what had become old is your ways, made new, and sinners shall return and all things are restored to to you. r∙ integrity through Christ, For you are not pleased just as by him they came with sacrifices; into being. should I offer a holocaust, Who lives and reigns you would not accept it. for ever and ever. Amen. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; OR a heart contrite and O God, who by the pages of humbled, O God, both Testaments you will not spurn. r∙ instruct and prepare us to celebrate the Paschal Mystery, PRAYER grant that we may O God of unchanging power comprehend your mercy, and eternal light, so that the gifts we receive look with favor on the from you this night wondrous mystery of the may confirm our hope whole Church of the gifts to come. and serenely accomplish the Through Christ our Lord. work of human salvation, Amen. which you planned from all eternity; GLORY TO GOD (page 24) livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 147 Holy Saturday: the Easter vigil

COLLECT the glory of the Father, we too O God, who make this most might live in newness of life. sacred night radiant For if we have grown into with the glory of the union with him through a Lord’s Resurrection, death like his, we shall also be stir up in your Church united with him in the resur- a spirit of adoption, rection. We know that our old so that, renewed in body self was crucified with him, and mind, so that our sinful body might we may render you be done away with, that we undivided service. might no longer be in slav- Through our Lord ery to sin. For a dead person Jesus Christ, your Son, has been absolved from sin. If, who lives and reigns with then, we have died with Christ, you in the unity of the we believe that we shall also Holy Spirit, live with him. We know that one God, for ever and ever. Christ, raised from the dead, Amen. dies no more; death no longer has power over him. As to his (Romans 6:3-11) death, he died to sin once and Brothers and sisters: Are you for all; as to his life, he lives unaware that we who were for God. Consequently, you baptized into Christ Jesus too think of yourselves were baptized into his death? as being dead to sin and living We were indeed buried with for God in Christ Jesus. him through baptism into The word of the Lord. death, so that, just as Christ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. was raised from the dead by

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM fter the sabbath, as the (Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23) first day of the week r∙ , alleluia, alleluia. Awas dawning, Mary Give thanks to the Lord, Magdalene and the other for he is good, Mary came to see the tomb. for his mercy endures And behold, there was a great forever. earthquake; for an angel of the Let the house of Israel say, Lord descended from heaven, “His mercy endures approached, rolled back the forever.” r∙ stone, and sat upon it. His The right hand of the Lord appearance was like lightning has struck with power; and his clothing was white as the right hand of the Lord snow. The guards were shaken is exalted. with fear of him and became I shall not die, but live, like dead men. Then the angel and declare the works said to the women in reply, of the Lord. r∙ “Do not be afraid! I know The stone which the that you are seeking Jesus the builders rejected crucified. He is not here, for has become the cornerstone. he has been raised just as he By the Lord has this said. Come and see the place been done; where he lay. Then go quickly it is wonderful in our eyes. r∙ and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, GOSPEL (Matthew 28:1-10) and he is going before you to A reading from the holy Galilee; there you will see him.’ Gospel according to Matthew. Behold, I have told you.” Then Glory to you, O Lord. they went away quickly from

livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 149 Holy Saturday: the Easter vigil the tomb, fearful yet over- bestow on them joyed, and ran to announce all his merciful help. this to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on When baptism is not celebrated, their way and greeted them. but the font is blessed: They approached, embraced Dearly beloved, his feet, and did him hom- let us humbly invoke upon age. Then Jesus said to them, this font “Do not be afraid. Go tell my the grace of God the brothers to go to Galilee, and almighty Father, there they will see me.” that those who from it are The Gospel of the Lord. born anew Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. may be numbered among the children of adoption in Christ. liturgy of baptism If baptism is not celebrated and INVITATION the font is not blessed, proceed to When baptism is celebrated: the blessing of the water outside of Dearly beloved, baptism (page 154). with one heart and one soul, let us by our prayers OF SAINTS come to the aid of these our Lord, have mercy. brothers and sisters in their Lord, have mercy. blessed hope, Christ, have mercy. so that, as they approach the Christ, have mercy. font of rebirth, Lord, have mercy. the almighty Father may Lord, have mercy.

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Holy Mary, Mother of God, All holy men and women, pray for us. Saints of God, , Holy Angels of God, Lord, be merciful. Saint , Lord, deliver us, we pray. Saint Joseph, From all evil, Saint Peter and Saint Paul, From every sin, Saint Andrew, From everlasting death, Saint John, By your Incarnation, Saint Mary Magdalene, By your Death and Saint Stephen, Resurrection, Saint Ignatius of Antioch, By the outpouring of the Saint Lawrence, Holy Spirit, Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity, Be merciful to us sinners, Saint Agnes, Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer. Saint Gregory, Saint Augustine, When baptism is celebrated add: Saint Athanasius, Bring these chosen ones to Saint Basil, new birth through the Saint Martin, grace of Baptism, Saint Benedict, Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer. Saint Francis and Saint Dominic, Or, when baptism is not celebrated: Saint Francis Xavier, Make this font holy by your Saint John Vianney, grace for the new birth of Saint Catherine of Siena, your children. Saint Teresa of Jesus, Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer. livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 151 Holy Saturday: the Easter vigil

Jesus, Son of the living God through sacramental signs Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer. and who in many ways have Christ, hear us. prepared water, your creation, Christ, hear us. to show forth the grace Christ, graciously hear us. of Baptism; Christ, graciously hear us. O God, whose Spirit in the first moments of the When baptism is celebrated, world’s creation the priest prays: hovered over the waters, Almighty ever-living God, so that the very substance be present by the mysteries of water of your great love would even then take to itself and send forth the spirit of the power to sanctify; adoption to create the new peoples O God, who by the brought to birth for you outpouring of the flood in the font of Baptism, foreshadowed regeneration, so that what is to be carried so that from the mystery of out by our humble service one and the same element may be brought to of water fulfillment by your would come an end to vice mighty power. and a beginning of virtue; Through Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, who caused the children of Abraham BLESSING OF BAPTISMAL WATER to pass dry-shod through the O God, who by invisible power Red Sea, accomplish a wondrous effect so that the chosen people,

152 HOLY WEEK 2020 livingwithchrist.us April 11 ] Saturday set free from slavery to Pharaoh, so that human nature, created would prefigure the people of in your image the baptized; and washed clean through the Sacrament of Baptism O God, whose Son, from all the squalor of the baptized by John in the life of old, waters of the Jordan, may be found worthy was anointed with the to rise to the life of Holy Spirit, newborn children and, as he hung upon the Cross, through water and the gave forth water from his side Holy Spirit. along with blood, and after his Resurrection, May the power of the commanded his disciples: Holy Spirit, “Go forth, teach all nations, O Lord, we pray, baptizing them come down through in the name of the Father your Son and of the Son and of the into the fullness of this font, Holy Spirit,” so that all who have been look now, we pray, upon the buried with Christ face of your Church by Baptism into death and graciously unseal for her may rise again to life with him. the fountain of Baptism. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the May this water receive by the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit one God, for ever and ever. the grace of your Only Amen. Begotten Son, livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 153 Holy Saturday: the Easter vigil

Springs of water, bless the Lord; Lord our God, praise and exalt him above all in your mercy be present to for ever. your people who keep vigil on this most Baptism is now conferred. Adults sacred night, are then confirmed immediately and, for us who recall the afterward. wondrous work of our creation If there is no baptism and the font is and the still greater work of not blessed, the priest blesses the water our redemption, and invites the assembly to renew graciously bless this water. their baptismal commitment: For you created water to make the fields fruitful THE BLESSING OF WATER and to refresh and cleanse (Outside of Baptism) our bodies. Dear brothers and sisters, You also made water the let us humbly beseech the instrument of your mercy: Lord our God for through water you freed to bless this water he has your people from slavery created, and quenched their thirst in which will be sprinkled the desert; upon us through water the Prophets as a memorial of our Baptism. proclaimed the new May he graciously renew us, covenant that we may remain faithful you were to enter upon with to the Spirit the human race; whom we have received. and last of all, through water, which Christ

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made holy in the Jordan, RENEWAL OF you have renewed BAPTISMAL PROMISES our corrupted nature Dear brethren (brothers in the bath of regeneration. and sisters), through the Paschal Mystery Therefore, may this water we have been buried with be for us Christ in Baptism, a memorial of the Baptism so that we may walk with we have received, him in newness of life. and grant that we may share And so, now that our Lenten in the gladness of our observance is concluded, brothers and sisters, let us renew the promises of who at Easter have received Holy Baptism, their Baptism. by which we once renounced Through Christ our Lord. Satan and his works Amen. and promised to serve God in the holy Catholic When the Rite of Baptism (and Church. ) has been completed or, And so I ask you: if this has not taken place, after the blessing of water, all stand, holding 1. Do you renounce Satan? lighted candles, and renew the promise I do. of baptismal faith, unless this has And all his works? I do. already been done together with those And all his empty show? to be baptized. I do.

2. Do you renounce sin, so as to live in the livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 155 Holy Saturday: the Easter vigil

freedom of the children the holy , of God? I do. the communion of saints, Do you renounce the lure the forgiveness of sins, of evil, the resurrection of the body, so that sin may have no and life everlasting? I do. mastery over you? I do. And may almighty God, Do you renounce Satan, the Father of our the author and prince Lord Jesus Christ, of sin? I do. who has given us new birth by water and the PROFESSION OF FAITH Holy Spirit Do you believe in God, and bestowed on us the Father almighty, forgiveness of our sins, Creator of heaven and keep us by his grace, earth? I do. in Christ Jesus our Lord, for eternal life. Amen. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, SPRINKLING WITH our Lord, BAPTISMAL WATER who was born of the The priest sprinkles all the people Virgin Mary, with the blessed baptismal water, suffered death and was buried, while an appropriate song may rose again from the dead be sung. and is seated at the right hand of the Father? I do. PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit,

156 HOLY WEEK 2020 livingwithchrist.us April 11 ] Saturday liturgy of PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION the eucharist Pour out on us, O Lord, the Spirit of your love, PREPARATION OF GIFTS (page 27) and in your kindness make those you have nourished PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS by this paschal Sacrament Accept, we ask, O Lord, one in mind and heart. the prayers of your people Through Christ our Lord. with the sacrificial offerings, Amen. that what has begun in the paschal mysteries SOLEMN BLESSING: may, by the working of MASS OF THE EASTER VIGIL your power, May almighty God bless you bring us to the healing of through today’s Easter eternity. Solemnity Through Christ our Lord. and, in his compassion, Amen. defend you from every assault of sin. Amen. (Easter I, page 29) And may he, who restores COMMUNION ANTIPHON you to eternal life (1 Corinthians 5:7-8) in the Resurrection Christ our Passover has of his Only Begotten, been sacrificed; therefore let endow you with the prize us keep the feast with the of immortality. Amen. unleavened bread of purity and truth, alleluia. Now that the days of the Lord’s Passion have drawn livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 157 Holy Saturday: the Easter vigil

to a close, And may the blessing may you who celebrate of almighty God, the gladness of the the Father, and the Son, and Paschal Feast the Holy Spirit, come with Christ’s help, and come down on you and exulting in spirit, remain with you for ever. to those feasts that are Amen. celebrated in eternal joy. Amen. (page 47)

We are Easter people and “Alleluia” is our song. Let us sing “Alleluia” here and now in this life, even though we are oppressed by various worries, so that we may sing it one day in the world to come, when we are set free from all anxiety. ST.

158 HOLY WEEK 2020 livingwithchrist.us Responding in Prayer R holy saturdayr

The Old Testament readings recall the story of God’s desire to create a covenant community that would follow God’s guidelines. X What word, phrase, or idea spoke to me most powerfully tonight?

Paul reminds us that through our baptism we have been deeply united to the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection. X What can I do to be more united to Christ today?

Jesus tells his disciples not to be afraid. X What fears must I overcome to witness to Christ today?

In the Renewal of Baptismal Promises, the priest asks: “Do you believe…?” X How deeply do I mean my positive response to all these questions? Which ones are especially challenging for me?

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