OF OUR DIVINE LORD
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THE EASTER VIGIL
Station of St. John Lateran These sacred ceremonies go back to the time of the ancient Church, when the early Christians kept an all-night watch or Vigil in preparation for the glorious Feast of the Resurrection. This holy night is the most solemn memorial, in the entire year, of the central mystery of our Redemption: Christ's saving Death and glorious Resurrection. With gratitude and joy we should take part in it to the best of our ability. It goes without saying that reception of Holy Communion will constitute our most intimate sharing in the feast. |
The Vigil has three main parts:
I. The Service of Light. II. The Baptismal Service.
III. The Eucharistic Service.
Part One
THE SERVICE OF LIGHT
The first part of the Easter Vigil centers around fire or light, the visible token of Christ, who proclaimed Himself the Light of the world. On Easter morning He arose, resplendent as the dawning sun, thereby conquering forever the dark night of sin. With this thought in mind we assist at (A) the blessing of the new fire, (B) the blessing and lighting of the Easter Candle, (C) the carrying and distribution of this burning Candle through the Church, and (D) the chanting of the Easter song, the Exsultet. The first of these four rites represents Christ's resurrection; the second the glory and splendor of His risen presence among us; the third our joyful sharing in His triumph; and the fourth, our own heartfelt gratitude for such great blessings.
A. The Blessing of the New Fire
In the Old Testament, already, God chose fire as a sign of His presence, for example, in the burning bush on Sinai, in the pillar of fire through the desert, in the fire of sacrifice on the altar in the temple. The kindling of fire from a stone-flint is, therefore, a vivid image of Christ's renewed presence among men: as the spark leaps from the flint, so He arose from His rock tomb.
The new fire is lighted from a flint and blessed by the Bishop at the door of the church. All stand.
Let us pray. O God, through Thy Son, the true Cornerstone, Thou hast enkindled in the faithful the fire of Thine own brightness. Hallow + now for our use and profit this new fire struck from stone, and grant us through this Easter Feast to be so inflamed with desire for Heaven that we may attain with pure hearts to the Feast of everlasting brightness. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
The fire is then sprinkled with holy water and blessed with incense.
B. The Blessing of the Easter Candle
The Easter Candle represents Our Risen Lord shining in the light and splendor of His resurrection. He is the new "pillar of fire" leading redeemed Israel out of the bondage of sin into the promised land. The light of Christ penetrates the darkness which has enveloped mankind from the time of original sin throughout the ages of the Old Testament until now - the coming of the promised Saviour, Who reopens the gates of Heaven; He Who is the Light of the World. An outline of the Cross, together with the first and last letters of the alphabet and the numerals of the current year, is inscribed on the Candle to teach us that the risen Christ, the Alpha and Omega (our beginning and our end), the Lord of all ages, should shine in our lives during this coming year of grace.
The Bishop cuts the sign of the Cross upon the Candle, saying:
Christus heri et hodie (Christ yesterday and today)
Principium et Finis (the Beginning and the End)
He inscribes the first numeral of the current year in the upper left angle of the cross, saying:
Ipsius sunt tempora (His are the seasons)
And the second numeral at the upper right, saying:
et saecula (and the ages)
The third at the lower left, saying:
Ipsi gloria et imperium (To Him be glory and dominion)
And the last at the lower right, saying:
per universa aeternitatis saecula. Amen. (throughout all ages unto eternity. Amen)
The five grains of incense (symbolizing Christ's glorious wounds) are now presented to the Bishop who blesses them, sprinkles them with holy water, and incenses them. He then fixes them upon the Cross He has already cut in the Candle, saying:
1. Per sua sancta vulnera 2. gloriosa 3. custodiat 4. et conservet nos 5. Christus Dominus. Amen.
(By His wounds, holy and glorious, may He protect and preserve us, Who is Christ the Lord. Amen.)
The Bishop now lights the great Candle from the new fire, saying:
Christ rises resplendent, may His light dispel from heart and mind the evil night.
Then the Bishop blesses the burning Candle, saying:
Let us pray. We beseech Thee, Almighty God, pour forth Thy abundant + blessing upon this burning Candle. Thou, the Unseen, who renewest all things, intensify the splendor of this night. May the Candle we offer tonight shine more brightly through the secret addition of Thine own radiance. And wherever a portion of this hallowing mystery of fire shall be carried, may the evil of Satan's malice and guile be driven out, and the power of Thy majestic glory be made manifest. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
C. The Solemn Procession
All the lights in the church are extinguished that they may be relighted from the Easter Candle. Christ is the sole Light of the world! The darkness which envelops the darkened world of the Old Testament is now dispelled by the Light of the promised Saviour. All stand while the procession enters the church. When the procession has entered the church, the priest (or deacon) who is carrying the Easter Candle lifts it on high and sings:
Lumen Christi! (The Light of Christ)
All in the church immediately genuflect toward the Candle and sing:
Deo Gratias! (Thanks be to God)
A candle for the Bishop is lighted from the great Candle. The light of Christ is given first of all to the Bishop, His representative. The procession moves to the center of the church.
The candles of those in the procession are lighted. The light of Christ is spreading to enlighten a world steeped in darkness. The procession moves to the high altar.
The candles of all the people are lighted - the Light of Christ illumines all men! And helping one's neighbor light his candle is a good lesson of one's duty of apostolate: each Christian must assist in the spread of Christ's life and light.
The Deacon places the Easter Candle on the stand prepared for it and, taking his book, asks a blessing before he sings the great Easter Song.
D. The Easter Song - (The Exsultet)
This song, praising the risen Christ, is one of the finest jewels in the Church's treasury. Meditate upon it now - and pray it occasionally during the Easter season. All stand.
Let the angelic choirs of Heaven now rejoice; let the divine mysteries rejoice; and let the trumpet of salvation sound forth the victory of so great a King. Let the earth also rejoice, made radiant by such splendor; and, enlightened with the brightness of the eternal King, let it know that the darkness of the whole world is scattered. Let our Mother the Church also rejoice, adorned with the brightness of so great a light; and let this temple resound with the loud acclamations of the people. Wherefore I beseech you, most beloved brethren, who are here present in the wondrous brightness of this holy light, to invoke with me the mercy of almighty God, that He who has deigned to admit me among the Levites, without any merits of mine, would pour forth the brightness of His light upon me, and enable me to perfect the praise of this wax candle. Through our Lord Jesus Christ His Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Him and the Holy Ghost, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Bishop: The Lord be with you.
Servers: And with thy spirit.
Bishop: Lift up your hearts.
Servers: We have lifted them up to the Lord.
Bishop: Let us give thanks unto the Lord our God.
Servers: It is meet and just.
Truly meet it is and just, with all our strength of mind and heart and with our voice as instrument, to praise the invisible Father almighty, and His only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who paid to the eternal Father in our stead the debt of Adam, and by the merciful shedding of His Blood for love of us, blotted out the guilt incurred by Original Sin. For this is the Easter feast in which the true Lamb is slain, Whose Blood hallows the doorposts of the faithful. This is the night in which Thou of old didst lead our forefathers, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt to pass through the Red Sea with dry feet. This is the night which scattered the darkness of sin by means of the pillar of fire. This is the night which at this time, throughout the world, restores to grace and unites in sanctity those who believe in Christ, and are separated from the vices of the world and the darkness of sinners. This is the night in which Christ burst the bonds of death and came forth as Conqueror from the grave. For unless we had been redeemed, it would avail us nothing to be born. O wondrous condescension of Thy mercy toward us! O incomprehensible goodness of love: to redeem a slave Thou didst deliver up a Son! O truly necessary sin of Adam, which the death of Christ has blotted out! O happy fault, that merited a Redeemer so holy and so great! O truly blessed night, which alone merited to know the time and hour when Christ rose from the dead! This is the night of which it is written: "The night shall be light as the day," and: "Then shall my night be turned to day, in my rejoicing." For the holiness of this night drives out wickedness and washes away guilt; it restores innocence to the fallen and joy to the sorrowful. It banishes enmities, establishes peace, and brings low the pride of vain man. Wherefore, in this sacred night, receive, O holy Father, this evening sacrifice of incense; Holy Church, by the hands of Thy ministers, offers it to Thee in the solemn oblation of this Candle wrought by the labor of bees. For now we have heard the praises of this column of wax which the sparkling fire lights to the honor of God. And though the fire was spread to kindle other flames, such sharing does not lessen the force of its light. For it is constantly fed by the melting wax which the mother bee wrought to form this precious Candle. O truly blessed night, when Egypt was plundered and the Hebrews enriched. O night, when Heaven is wedded to earth, and God to man. We beseech Thee, therefore, O Lord: may this Candle consecrated to Thine honor continue with undiminished light to dispel this night's darkness. Receive it as a fragrant and pleasing offering, and let its light mingle with the lamps of Heaven. May the Morning Star behold its flame - that Morning Star Who knows no setting: He Who upon returning from the grave, serenely shone forth upon mankind. In this festival of Easter joys, we beseech Thee, therefore, Lord, for ourselves, Thy servants, for all the clergy and Thy most devoted people: grant peace to our days; guide, rule over, and protect us by Thy constant care. Look with favor, too, upon our Most Reverend Bishop Francis Konrad Maria Schuckardt. Sustain Him with Thy assistance in governing Thy Holy Church, that after this life of earthly labor He may attain, together with all Thy people, to the heavenly fatherland. Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Part Two
THE BAPTISMAL SERVICE
This second part of the Vigil centers around the mystery of Baptism - by which the Light of Christ was first given to us. Through holy Baptism we died to sin to rise with Christ, going down into the font in death in order to come up cleansed from sin and alive unto God. The Reading of the Lessons (A) shows this transformation by recounting Old Testament events which foreshadowed it; in the Litany of the Saints (B, F) we call upon those into whose company Baptism admits us; the blessing of the baptismal water (C) leads up to the actual administration of Baptism (D), followed by the renewal of our own baptismal vows (E), by which we resolve to fervently live our holy Faith in union with Christ.
A. The Reading of the Lessons
The celebrant (or lector) now reads from the book near the blessed Candle; all others sit and reflect upon what is read.
The First Reading. Genesis 1:1 - 2:2.
The creation account of Genesis is taken as an image of the "new creation," which Jesus Christ wrought in us through Baptism. The Father made, the Son re-made - the Father created, the Son redeemed.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was void and empty, and darkness covered the abyss: and the Spirit of God moved over the waters.
And God said, "Let there be light." And there was light. And God saw the light that it was good: and He divided the light from the darkness. And He called the light Day, and the darkness Night: and there was evening and morning, the first day.
And God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters to divide the waters." And it was so. God made the firmament, dividing the waters that were below the firmament from those that were above it. God called the firmament heaven. And there was evening and morning, the second day.
God then said, "Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place and let the dry land appear." And so it was. God called the dry land Earth, and the assembled waters, Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth vegetation: seed-bearing plants and all kinds of fruit trees that bear fruit containing their seed." And so it was. The earth brought forth vegetation, every kind of seed-bearing plant, and all kinds of trees that bear fruit containing their seed. God saw that it was good. And there was evening and morning, the third day.
And God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to separate day from night; let them serve as signs and for the fixing of seasons, days and years: to shine in the firmament of heaven, and to shed light upon the earth." And so it was. God made two great lights: a greater light to rule the day, and a lesser light to rule the night, and He made the stars. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to shed light upon the earth, to rule the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. God saw that it was good. And there was evening and morning, the fourth day.
God then said, "Let the waters abound with life, and let the winged creatures fly over the earth under the firmament of the heavens. And so it was. And God created the great sea monsters, and all kinds of living and swimming creatures with which the waters abound, and all kinds of winged birds. God saw that it was good, and He blessed them, saying, "Increase and multiply, and fill the waters of the seas; and let the birds multiply on the earth." And there was evening and morning, the fifth day.
And God said, "Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures: cattle, crawling creatures and beasts of the earth according to their kinds. And so it was. God made the wild beasts of the earth according to their kinds, every kind of cattle, and everything that crawls on the earth after its kind. And God saw that it was good.
And God said, "Let us make man in Our image and likeness; and let him have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle; over all the wild animals, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every crawling creature that moves upon the earth."
God created man in His own image.
In the image of God He created him.
Male and female He created them.
Then God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, and the birds of the air, and all living creatures that move upon the earth." And God said, "Behold, I give you every seed-bearing plant on the earth and every tree which has seed-bearing fruit to be your food; and to every wild animal of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to every creature that moves upon the earth, and has the breath of life, I give the green plants, that they may have to feed upon. And so it was. God saw all the things that He had made, and that they were very good. And there was evening and morning, the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished and all their array. And on the sixth day God ended His work which He had made: and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.
Celebrant: Oremus. Let us pray.
Deacon: Flectamus genua. Let us kneel down.
All kneel in silent prayer, thanking God for His gift of creation and resolving to live lives worthy of their "re-creation" through Baptism.
Celebrant: Levate. Arise.
All stand while the celebrant sings or reads the collect, which "collects" and summarizes the preceding individual prayers.
O God, Who hast wondrously created man, and even more wondrously hast redeemed him; grant us, we beseech Thee, to stand firm with strong minds against the enticements of sin, that we may be worthy to attain everlasting joys.
Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Filium tuum: Qui tecum vivit et regnat Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee
in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus: per in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,
omnia saecula saeculorum. . Amen. forever and ever. . Amen.
The Second Reading. Exodus 14:24 - 15:1.
The Exodus from the slavery of Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea foreshadowed the deliverance of mankind from the bondage of sin, and its attaining freedom by passing through the waters of Baptism. And, as the pillar of fire later on led the Israelites safely through the desert, so our risen Light, Christ, leads us through the darkness of earthly life into the brightness of grace and glory. All are seated.
In those days: in the night watch just before dawn, the Lord cast through the column of the fiery cloud upon the Egyptian force a glance that threw it into a panic; and He so clogged their chariot wheels that they could hardly drive. With that, the Egyptians sounded the retreat before Israel, because the Lord was fighting for them against the Egyptians.
Then the Lord told Moses, "Stretch forth thy hand over the sea, that the waters may flow back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and their charioteers." So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea flowed back to its normal depth. The Egyptians were fleeing head on toward the sea, when the Lord hurled them into its midst. As the water flowed back, it covered the chariots and the charioteers of Pharao's whole army, which had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not a single one of them escaped. But the Israelites had marched on dry land through the midst of the sea, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left. Thus the Lord saved Israel on that day from the power of the Egyptians. When Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore and beheld the great power that the Lord had shown against the Egyptians, they feared the Lord and believed in Him and in His servant Moses.
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:
Let us sing to the Lord, for He is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot He has cast into the sea. My strength and my courage is the Lord, and He is become my Savior. He is my God and I will glorify Him; the God of my father and I shall extol Him. The Lord is a victor over wars; His name is Lord!
Celebrant: Oremus. Let us pray.
Deacon: Flectamus genua. Let us kneel down.
All kneel and pray silently, thanking God for deliverance from the slavery of sin through the waters of Baptism.
Celebrant: Levate. Arise.
All stand while the celebrant reads the summarizing collect.
O God, Whose ancient miracles we see shining even in our own times: since that which by the power of Thy right hand, Thou didst confer upon one people by delivering from them Egyptian bondage, Thou dost accomplish now by the waters of regeneration for the salvation of mankind; grant that the whole world may become children of the promise of Abraham, and enter into the heritage of Israel. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, forever and ever. . Amen.
The Third Reading. Isaias 4:2-6.
The prophet looks forward to the holy and purified state of the new Chosen People after the judgment of God would cleanse away current wickedness and the Messiah had come. For us, it amounts to an exhortation to lead holy lives as a result of our Baptism, especially since we enjoy the loving and powerful protection of Our Lord. All are seated.
In that day the Bud of the Lord (i.e., Christ) shall appear in magnificence and glory, and the fruit of the earth shall be the pride and joy of the survivors of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that everyone who shall be left in Sion and who shall remain in Jerusalem (i.e., in the Church), shall be called holy - everyone who is inscribed unto life in Jerusalem - after the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Sion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from its midst, by the searing breath of His judgment. Then the Lord will create over the whole of Mount Sion, and over the place where He is called upon, a cloud of smoke by day and the brightness of a flaming fire by night: for the glory of the Lord will be a veil and a protection over all, serving as a shade from the heat of the day, and a shelter and refuge from the whirlwind and from the rain.
After the reading, the following canticle from"Is. 5:1-2 is sung (8th mode), in which we express our gratitude for God's loving protection and care.
Celebrant: Oremus. Let us pray.
Deacon: Flectamus genua. Let us kneel down.
All kneel and pray silently, thanking God that by Baptism we have become His cherished vineyard.
Celebrant: Levate. Arise.
All Stand while the celebrant reads the summarizing collect.
O God, Who by the voice of the holy Prophets, hast declared to all the children of Thy Church, that through the whole extent of Thy dominion, Thou art the Sower of good seed and the Cultivator of the vine and its chosen branches; grant to this, Thy present chosen people, who have been made by Thee Thy vineyard and Thy harvest, Thy strength to root out all tangles and thorns, and to produce good fruit in abundance. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, forever and ever. . Amen.
The Fourth Reading. Deuteronomy 31:22-30.
Even the elect of God may fall. Israel did, the formerly Catholic protestants did, and the formerly Catholic Church of Vatican II did; nor are we secure without our earnest collaboration with God's grace. The warning God here utters to the Chosen People of old, is meant also for us. All are seated.
In those days, Moses wrote a canticle, and taught it to the children of Israel. And the Lord commanded Josue, the son of Nun, and said, "Take courage, and be valiant: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I have promised; and I Myself shall be with thee.
Therefore, after Moses had written out upon a scroll the words of the Law in their entirety, and finished it; he commanded the Levites, who carried the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, saying, "Take this scroll of the Law and put it beside the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord thy God: that it may be there for a testimony against thee. For I already know how rebellious and most stiff-necked you will be. For even now, when I am yet living, and still among you, you have always been rebellious against the Lord: how much more, then, after I am dead! Therefore assemble before me all the elders of your tribes and your officials, and I will speak these words in their hearing, and will call Heaven and earth to witness against them. For I know that after my death you are sure to become corrupt, and will quickly turn aside from the way that I have commanded you: and evils shall come upon you in the future, because you shall do evil in the sight of the Lord, and provoke Him by your deeds."
Moses therefore spoke in the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel the words of this canticle, and finished it even to the end.
After the reading the canticle from Deut. 32:1-4 is sung (8th mode); by it we acknowledge the holiness and justice of God in punishing sinners.
Celebrant: Oremus. Let us pray.
Deacon: Flectamus genua. Let us kneel down.
All kneel and pray silently, resolving to forestall God's angry judgment by living up to their Baptismal vows.
Celebrant: Levate. Arise.
All stand; the celebrant reads the summarizing collect.
O God, the exaltation of the humble, and the strength of the righteous, Who, by Thy holy servant Moses, wast pleased so to instruct Thy people by the singing of Thy sacred canticle, that their proclamation of Thy law should be also our guidance, stir up the fullness of Thy power in all the multitude of the redeemed, and grant them joy whilst Thou dost diminish fear; so that, all sins being blotted out by Thy remission, what was threatened by Thy vengeance, may be conducive to our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, forever and ever. . Amen.
B. The Litany of the Saints (First Part)
The first part of the Litany of the Saints is now intoned by the celebrant (or two chanters); those in the choir kneel and answer. By Baptism we enter the Communion of Saints. We ask them fraternally to assist the prospective new members of our Christian family (if Baptism is being conferred tonight); and to assist all of us who have been baptized, to be true to our Baptismal promises and to be fervent and obedient members of the Church.
C. The Blessing of Water for Baptism
The solemn blessing of the water for Baptism prepares it for the great task it must perform in the renewal of souls. The water, therefore, is exorcised, blessed, and even anointed (i.e., made fruitful by the power of the Holy Ghost). The culminating point is reached when the Paschal Candle - Christ - is lowered into it by the Bishop and raised out again, even as Christ Himself was lowered into death and rose from the tomb. Thus the water becomes an effectual symbol of both death and life: our death to sin, and to the world and our rising with Christ in the newness of spiritual resurrection.
All is now made ready for the blessing of the water in front of the Paschal Candle.
Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, be present in these mysteries of Thy great love; be pleased to act in these Thy sacraments. Send forth the Spirit of adoption to re-create a new race of those whom the font of Baptism will bear to Thee. Thus what we perform by our humble ministry will be made effective by Thy power. Through our Lord . . .
The Singing of the Solemn Preface
Truly it is meet and just ... the Holy Ghost the grace of Thine only begotten Son.
The Bishop divides the water with his hand in the sign of the cross and chants:
May the Spirit impregnate this water ... nor taint it with corruption.
He now touches the water with his hand and chants:
May this, Thy creature ... receive the grace of perfect pardon.
He makes the sign of the Cross three times over the water in honor of the Holy Trinity, in Whose Name men are baptized. He prays:
Therefore, O creature water ... whose spirit stirred you.
Here He parts the water and sprinkles some toward the four corners of the earth, reminding us of Christ's command that "all men" are to be baptized. He prays:
He made you flow from paradise ... "Go, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
Then the celebrant, without chant, says:
While we are now fulfilling ... send Thy own breath.
Christ conferred the spirit upon His apostles by "breathing" on them. The same sanctifying Spirit is, therefore, here signified. The Bishop accordingly breathes upon the water in the sign of the Cross three times and says:
Bless this clear water ... also cleanse men's souls.
The Bishop now lowers the Easter Candle into the water three times while singing, each time in a higher pitch:
May the power of the Holy Ghost come down into this full font.
This is the most solemn rite of the blessing. It is an impressive sign of Christ (the Easter Candle) through His Holy Ghost conferring the power of sanctifying to the baptismal water.
Then the Bishop breathes three times on the water, in the form of a Cross with upslanting arms (to signify the "Tree of Life") and sings:
And may He make ... with power to regenerate.
The Candle is taken out of the water and the chant continues:
Here may ever stain of sin ... a new childhood of innocence.
He says the rest without chant:
Through our Lord Jesus Christ ...
Easter water is now set aside with which to sprinkle the people after the renewal of their baptismal vows, and for the sprinkling of homes and other places. The rite continues as the Bishop, in whom alone resides the fullness of the priesthood, pours a portion of the Oil of Catechumens upon the water in the sign of the Cross, saying:
May this font be hallowed ... into everlasting life.
He pours out a portion of the Holy Chrism, the most sacred Oil the Church possesses, in the sign of the Cross, saying:
May this inpouring of Chrism ... in the Name of the Holy Trinity. Amen.
Then He pours from both the Oil of Catechumens and Holy Chrism in the sign of the Cross, three times, saying:
May this mingling of the Chrism ... in the Name of the + Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy + Ghost. Amen.
The Oils are now mixed with the water. The Holy Oils likewise symbolize the Holy Ghost, the "Anointer," with whose "unction" we are filled at Baptism. Pouring the Oils into the water therefore signifies a fullness of His sanctifying power communicated to the baptismal water.
D. Conferring of Baptism
This is the climax of tonight's "baptismal service." By Baptism each of us has entered the great Paschal Mystery: Christ's death to sin and rising to a new life became our death and new life. By assisting at the Baptism of new members of Christ's One, True, Catholic Church, we realize anew how great is the gift of our own re-birth, and we welcome the new members as our true brothers and sisters in Christ.
E. Renewal of the Promises of Baptism
The candles of the congregation are lighted again from the Paschal Candle for the renewal of our baptismal promises. All stand.
Celebrant: My dear brethren - [In this most sacred night holy Mother Church commemorates the death and burial of our Lord Jesus Christ. In return for His great love, She lovingly keeps watch with Him. And looking forward to His glorious resurrection, She rejoices with an exceeding joy.]
[But], as the Apostle teaches us, we have by Baptism been buried with Christ unto death. As Christ, then, has risen from the dead, so we too must walk now in newness of life. For we know that our old self has been crucified with Christ, that we may no longer be slaves to sin. Let us remember always that we have died to sin and to the world, but we are to live for God, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Therefore, beloved brethren, [having completed the Lenten observance,] let us now proceed to renew the promises of our holy Baptism. By these promises we once renounced Satan and all his works, as well as that world which is the enemy of God; we vowed, furthermore, to serve God faithfully in His One, True, Holy Catholic Church.
And therefore I ask you once again:
Celebrant: Do you renounce Satan?
All: We do renounce him.
Celebrant: And all his works?
All: We do renounce them.
Celebrant: And all his allurements?
All: We do renounce them.
Celebrant: Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth?
All: We do believe.
Celebrant: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was born into this world and Who suffered for us?
All: We do believe.
Celebrant: And do you believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
All: We do believe.
Celebrant: Let us now together pray to God, as our Lord Jesus Christ has taught us:
All: OUR FATHER... PATER NOSTER...
Celebrant: And may almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who caused us to be born anew by water and the Holy Ghost, and who granted us remission of sins, keep us by His grace unto everlasting life in the same Jesus Christ, our Lord.
All: Amen.
The people are now blessed with Paschal water, as a Sacramental renewal of their own Baptism. They should, accordingly, receive it with sincere sorrow for their past sins, and a firm determination to live in the future as re-born children of God and faithful members of His Holy Church. After the blessing, the people again extinguish their candles.
F. The Litany of the Saints (Second Part)
In the first part of the Litany we petitioned our brethren the saints. Thus is better impressed upon us the reality of our bond with the members of the Church Triumphant with the Mystical Body of Christ.
In this second part we ask Christ to have mercy on all who have become members of His Mystical Body through Baptism.
Part Three
MASS OF THE RESURRECTION
Double of the 1st Class Station: St. John Lateran White
The Easter Vigil comes to its climax with the celebration of Holy Mass. By baptism we were individually made sharers in the saving death and resurrection of Christ. But baptism leads to the Eucharist. As baptized members of Christ, we can now assist at the Eucharist, the sacrificial reenactment of that death and resurrection for the salvation of all men; as baptized we can now partake of the fruit of that sacrifice, the altar of His Flesh and Blood, to which Christ invites His Church. And no other Mass throughout the year is so significant as this Easter Mass. For it is the solemn anniversary celebration of Christ's "pasch," i.e., His "passage" from death to resurrection. Our response to the tremendous mystery in which we are participating is a resounding, oft-repeated ALLELUIA. May it echo in our heart - and deeds - through the year! The Mass ends with an abbreviated form of Lauds, the official morning prayer of the Church which daily recalls the Resurrection.
Prayer O God, Who dost illumine this most holy night by the glory of the Lord's Resurrection, preserve in the new children of Thy family the spirit of adoption which Thou hast given; that renewed in body and mind, they may render to Thee a pure service. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Epistle. Colossians 3:1-4. Brethren: If you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Mind the things that are above, not the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, your life, shall appear, then you too will appear with Him in glory.
At the end of the Epistle, the Celebrant sings "Alleluia" three times, each time in a higher tone, and the Choir repeats it after him in the same tone. Then the Choir continues with the following:
Gradual. Give praise to the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endures forever. V. O praise the Lord, all ye nations; and praise Him, all ye people. V. For His mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord remains forever.
Gospel. Matthew 28:1-7 Now late in the night of the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the sepulchre. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord came down from Heaven, and drawing near rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lighting, and his raiment like snow. And for fear of him the guards were terrified, and became like dead men. But the angel spoke and said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus, Who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen even as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord was laid. And go quickly, tell His disciples that He has risen, and behold, He goes before you into Galilee; there you shall see Him. Behold, I have foretold it to you."
Secret. Accept, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the prayers of Thy people together with the sacrifice they offer, that what has been begun by the Easter mysteries, may by Thy working, profit us unto eternal healing. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. R. Amen.
Preface of Easter. It is fitting indeed and just, right and helpful to our salvation for us always to praise Thee, O Lord, but more gloriously at this time above others when Christ our Paschal Lamb was sacrificed. For He is the true Lamb Who has taken away the sins of the world: Who by dying has destroyed our death; and by rising again has restored us to life. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD GOD OF HOSTS. HEAVEN AND EARTH ARE FILLED WITH THY GLORY. HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST. BLESSED IS HE WHO COMETH IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST.
Communicantes for Easter. In the unity of holy fellowship, and keeping the most holy day of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh; and also reverencing the memory, first, of the glorious Mary, ever Virgin, Mother of Our Lord and God Jesus Christ, next that, etc....
Hanc Igitur. Graciously accept, then we beseech Thee, O Lord, this service of our worship, and that of all Thy household, which we make unto Thee in behalf of those whom Thou hast willed to bring to a new birth by water and the Holy Ghost, granting them remission of all their sins; provide that our days be spent in Thy peace, save us from everlasting damnation and cause us to be numbered in the flock of those whom Thou hast chosen. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The Holy Hour of Lauds
Lauds, the Church's official morning prayer, always commemorates Christ's Resurrection. Most fittingly, then, it occurs as the concluding act in the Easter Vigil ceremonies, where it also serves as a thanksgiving prayer for the Easter Communion.
Antiphon. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The Choir continues with Psalm 150. Praise the Lord in His sanctuary; praise Him in the firmament of His power.
Praise ye Him in His mighty acts. Praise ye Him according to His excellent greatness.
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with psaltery and harp.
Praise Him with timbrel and choir; praise Him with strings and organs.
Praise Him upon the loud cymbals; praise Him upon the high-sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.
Gloria Patri....
Antiphon. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Antiphon for the Benedictus (Song of Zachary): Now very early in the morning of the first day of the week, when the sun had just risen, they came to the sepulchre, Alleluia.
The Choir then chants the Benedictus while the altar is incensed by the Celebrant.
Luke i. 68-79. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel: because He hath visited and wrought the redemption of His people:
And hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, in the house of David His servant:
As He spoke by the mouth of His holy ones, His prophets from of old:
Salvation from our enemies, and from the hands of all that hate us:
To perform mercy to our fathers, and to be mindful of His holy covenant.
The oath, which He swore to Abraham our father, that He would grant to us. That being delivered from the hands of our enemies, we may serve Him without fear,
In holiness and justice before Him, all our days.
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways:
To give knowledge of salvation to his people, unto the remission of their sins:
Through the bowels of the mercy of our God, in which the Orient from on high hath visited us:
To enlighten them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death: to direct our feet into the way of peace.
Gloria Patri...
Antiphon:
V. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit.
Postcommunion. Pour forth upon us, O Lord, the spirit of Thy love, that those whom Thou hast nourished with the Easter Sacraments, may by Thy goodness, be of one mind and heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.