Easter Vigil: An Excerpt from Easter at the Mission (Sula)
Continuing in the series of Sula (parish cat) Easter posts and especially on Caturday, here is another excerpt from Sula's Easter book; it comes from the section on the Easter vigil:
Waiting before the Vigil
The church is always dark on Easter Vigil. I am among the
first there, waiting not just for the Resurrection that is to come but also for
the people who will be coming to wait together—they with me and I with them. I
like greeting the people as they come in.
Often, I will know with whom I should be waiting. That,
after all, is my mission.
The Mass
The Easter Vigil Mass is unique. It is not like any other
Mass during the year.
The Vigil Mass is also complex—and rich. It goes from dark
to light, from people who cannot see each other to people welcoming new members
into the body of Christ. The Mass has four elements. These are (1) the Service
of Light, (2) the Liturgy of the Word, (3) Baptism, and (4) the Liturgy of the
Eucharist.
The Service of Light starts outside, around a fire. The parishioners
surround the priest, who stands by the fire. The fire warms the parishioners
and lights up the sky. Then, he lights the Paschal candle. The Paschal candle reminds
us that Jesus is the light of the world. From the Paschal candle several
parishioners light their candles and then pass on the flame to each other until
all candles are lit. The priest then proceeds into the church to the altar,
followed by the parishioners with their lights. I wait inside, in the dark, until
they return with their lit candles showing them the way. The first part of the
Mass is continued in the dark, with the only light coming from the candles.
The Liturgy of the Word recounts the history of salvation
with seven readings from the Old
Testament and two readings from the New
Testament (one from the apostles and one from the Gospels). The homily
usually focuses on the mysteries of salvation.
Baptism is always a very special part of the Easter Vigil
Mass. At this time, both babies and people who have completed the Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults (RCIA) are baptized. For the adults, the Sacrament of
Confirmation follows the Sacrament of Baptism.
The Mass concludes with the Eucharist. For the RCIA
catechumens who have just been baptized and confirmed, the Eucharist becomes
their first communion. A special night indeed, both for the new members of the
parish and for all the parishioners welcoming new members.
A special night, too, for all it symbolizes in Catholic
spirituality—salvation, misterium/mystery,
and great love.
- More vigil text in the book, as well as photographs.
Sula's book is informative yet delightfully illustrated and easy to understand. It can be purchased on the spot at Old Mission gift shop or at St. Francis Retreat Center, both in San Juan Bautista. Or, it can be purchased online. Want a discount? Order from MSI Press webstore at half price sale; use code FF25, and get another 25% off. Cannot beat that price! But it won't last beyond Easter, so please do hurry if you want the book.
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