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The Easter Vigil liturgy is the most beautiful liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church, particularly as celebrated in full splendor at John XXIII Catholic Church in Albuquerque. This Holy Saturday evening Vigil marks the beginning of Easter. The service is divided into four parts: 1. Service of the Light 2. Liturgy of the Word 3. Liturgy of Baptism 4. Liturgy of the Eucharist. In the service of the light the Church is dark, the holy water fonts are empty and the tabernacle is empty. The service begins outside the church where a new fire is lit and blessed. A Paschal candle is prepared with these words,
" Christ yesterday and today, the Beginning and the End, Alpha and Omega, all time belongs to Him, and all the ages to Him be glory and power through every age forever. Amen" Father Ark lit the candle from the new fire, saying " May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds." The candle was then carried back to the Church, with the Deacon lifting the candle three times and singing, " Christ our light (Lumen Christi)" and the congregation singing in reply, " Thanks be to God, ( Deo Gratias)." The congregation then lit their candles from the Paschal candle and the whole church was alight. The Paschal candle symbolizes Christ, the Light of the world.
Next followed the glorious Easter song of the Catholic Church, the Exsultet, sung by the Deacon. This hymn, remarkable for its symbolism and lyricism, announces the meaning of Easter; it tells of man's sin, of God's mercy and of the Redeemer's great love for mankind, admonishing us to thank the Trinity for all of the graces lavished upon us.
The Liturgy of the Word follows the Service of the Light. During the Easter Vigil , 9 readings, seven from the Old Testament and 2 from the New Testament were read. These readings help us meditate on the wonderful works of God for His people since the beginning of time. The readings are: 1. The story of creation, Gen 1: 1-2; 2. Abraham and Isaac, Gen 22; 1-18 3. Crossing of the Red Sea, Exodus 14: 15-15:1 4. Isaiah 54: 5-14 5. Isaiah 55: 1-11 6. Baruch 3: 9-15, 32-4:4 7. Ezekiel 36:16-17; 18-28 8.Romans 6: 3-11 9. Mark 16:1-7
During the Liturgy of Baptism, the Easter water was blessed and new members were brought into the Church through the sacrament of Baptism. New adult members were immersed in the baptismal pool with Father Ark presiding. After the new members were baptized, the faithful were blessed with water and renewed their baptismal promises.
During the Liturgy of the Eucharist , the Mass resumed with special prayers inserted during the Eucharistic Prayer. The whole church was called to join at the sacrificial table that Christ prepared for us through His death and Resurrection. The Mass ended with the proclamation from Father Ark, " The Mass is ended, go in peace, alleluia, alleluia." The faithful responded, " Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia!"
It was late when the Easter Vigil concluded, near midnight. There was silence as we filed out of John XXIII Catholic Church. The stars seemed brighter that evening. Christ had Risen.
" Christ yesterday and today, the Beginning and the End, Alpha and Omega, all time belongs to Him, and all the ages to Him be glory and power through every age forever. Amen" Father Ark lit the candle from the new fire, saying " May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds." The candle was then carried back to the Church, with the Deacon lifting the candle three times and singing, " Christ our light (Lumen Christi)" and the congregation singing in reply, " Thanks be to God, ( Deo Gratias)." The congregation then lit their candles from the Paschal candle and the whole church was alight. The Paschal candle symbolizes Christ, the Light of the world.
Next followed the glorious Easter song of the Catholic Church, the Exsultet, sung by the Deacon. This hymn, remarkable for its symbolism and lyricism, announces the meaning of Easter; it tells of man's sin, of God's mercy and of the Redeemer's great love for mankind, admonishing us to thank the Trinity for all of the graces lavished upon us.
The Liturgy of the Word follows the Service of the Light. During the Easter Vigil , 9 readings, seven from the Old Testament and 2 from the New Testament were read. These readings help us meditate on the wonderful works of God for His people since the beginning of time. The readings are: 1. The story of creation, Gen 1: 1-2; 2. Abraham and Isaac, Gen 22; 1-18 3. Crossing of the Red Sea, Exodus 14: 15-15:1 4. Isaiah 54: 5-14 5. Isaiah 55: 1-11 6. Baruch 3: 9-15, 32-4:4 7. Ezekiel 36:16-17; 18-28 8.Romans 6: 3-11 9. Mark 16:1-7
During the Liturgy of Baptism, the Easter water was blessed and new members were brought into the Church through the sacrament of Baptism. New adult members were immersed in the baptismal pool with Father Ark presiding. After the new members were baptized, the faithful were blessed with water and renewed their baptismal promises.
During the Liturgy of the Eucharist , the Mass resumed with special prayers inserted during the Eucharistic Prayer. The whole church was called to join at the sacrificial table that Christ prepared for us through His death and Resurrection. The Mass ended with the proclamation from Father Ark, " The Mass is ended, go in peace, alleluia, alleluia." The faithful responded, " Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia!"
It was late when the Easter Vigil concluded, near midnight. There was silence as we filed out of John XXIII Catholic Church. The stars seemed brighter that evening. Christ had Risen.
To listen to a recording of the Exsultet, click on
Exsultet - YouTube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qkle6URiM4sShare
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