Laughter
and Excitement
Moments to go
Blessing of the Paschal Candle
Looking on with Excitement
Processing into the Church
The Assembly waits in the Darkness
Significance of the Darkness
Light of the World
Light conquers darkness
Preparing for Baptism
The candidates are baptized
They are then clothed in a white garment
Finally, they receive a candle lit from the Easter fire.
The Celebration of Confirmation
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Fellowship in the Sacristy before
the big night
Getting ready to lead the procession
The Elect and their Sponsors, the Candidates, Clergy, Acolytes and Lectors
all gather before the fire as Father Ed opens the service with the blessing
of the Paschal Candle.
During the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night the priest carries the candle
in procession into the dark church. A new fire, symbolizing our eternal life
in Christ, is kindled which lights the candle. The candle, representing
Christ himself, is blessed by the priest who then inscribes in it a cross,
the first letters and last of the Greek alphabet, (Alpha and Omega `the
beginning and the end') and the current year, as he chants the prayer below;
then affixes the five grains of incense.
Christ yesterday and today,
the Beginning and the End,
the Alpha and Omega.
His are the times and ages:
To Him be glory and dominion
Through all ages of eternity. Amen
In just a few minutes, the Elect and Candidates will join the Catholic
Church
With
the Paschal Candle lit, we process into the Church
The night vigil of Easter signifies Christ's passage from the dead to the
living by the the liturgy which begins in darkness (sin, death) and is
enlightened by the fire and the candle representing Lumen Christithe
Light of Christjust as the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, the
community of believers, is led from spiritual darkness to the light of His
truth.
The
Paschal candle represents Christ, the Light of the World: "I am the light of
the world. He that followeth me walketh not in darkness" [John 8:12]. The
pure beeswax of which the candle is made represents the sinless Christ who
was formed in the womb of His Mother. The wick signifies His humanity, the
flame, His Divine Nature, both soul and body. Five grains of incense
inserted into the candle in the form of a cross recall the aromatic spices
with which His Sacred Body was prepared for the tomb, and of the five wounds
in His hands, feet, and side.
As the procession continues, the Elect (or Catechumens) pass the
light from the Paschal Candle to the assembly, row by row
Soon, the darkness gives way to the Light of our Savior
The Easter candle is the largest and most beautiful in the Church. It is a
reminder of the Risen Redeemer "who shining in light left the tomb." It is
lighted each day during Mass throughout the Paschal season until Ascension
Thursday
Christ yesterday and today,
the Beginning and the End,
the Alpha and Omega.
His are the times and ages:
To Him be glory and dominion
Through all ages of eternity. Amen
The Elect are called forward, along with their sponsors. In our excitement
for them, we realize that this is very much about the renewal of our whole
community. Initiation and revitalization become one this night.
"Dear friends in Christ, as our brothers and sisters approach the waters of
rebirth, let us help them by our prayers and ask God, our almighty Father,
to support them with his mercy and love."
The Presiders and ministers go to the font of baptism, thereby drawing us
together there.
Christ's baptism, which our own baptism imitates, is represented during the
liturgy by the blessing of the water of baptism by immersing (`burying') the
candle representing His Body into the font.
The ritual of pouring water over their heads is meant to be a sign of their
entry into the waters of baptism. We should feel the power of this moment
and open our hearts to its joy, for them and for ourselves.
"You have become a new creation and have clothed yourselves in Christ. Receive
this baptismal garment and bring it unstained to the judgment seat of our Lord
Jesus Christ, so that you may have everlasting life."
"You have been enlightened by Christ. Walk always as children of the light
and keep the flame of faith alive in your hearts. When the Lord comes, may
you go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom."
The newly baptized and those who are about to be received into full
communion are ready to "share in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit." We all
pray in silence, and feel the power of God's Spirit among us. And in
silence, the Presider lays hands on each person, the same sign used in
ordination to the priesthood. As they are anointed, we can imagine the gifts
of the Spirit that we have received and can let ourselves feel the grace
offered us to be strong witnesses to the union with Jesus in mission that we
are offered.
The newly confirmed take their places in the assembly of the faithful, ready
to join us for the first time at the table of the Lord.
The tomb is empty. There is Light in the midst of our darkness. We've been
fed by the Word and given new life in the waters of baptism. And we have
been fed by his Body and his Blood, receiving the life in him that he
promises.
RCIA Podcast
