The Easter Vigil liturgy is so rich and exciting. It is the culmination of the Church's liturgical year, of Holy Week, and of months of preparation for our RCIA Elect and Candidates. It is the Church's "big day" because it is the earliest celebration of Jesus' resurrection.
Those who will be baptized at the Vigil are living signs to us of the dying and rising of Jesus because they die to their old selves and are buried in the waters of baptism and then rise (resurrect) - born again of water and the Spirit - new creations in Christ. They are then anointed with Chrism (Confirmation). It is thus that they, like us, are properly called "Christians" - anointed ones. They then join us around the Lord's Table for their First Eucharist. You can now see why the three sacraments of initiation - baptism, confirmation and eucharist - are received at the Easter Vigil. This year we have one adult baptism, five confirmations and two first eucharist receptions.
There is a lot of preparation for this big night. Months of RCIA sessions, weeks of musical practice by Glen, our choirs and cantors; scheduling of lectors, altar servers, ushers, and Eucharistic ministers, time spent decorating the church, and getting liturgical briefings from our Pastor, Fr. Joe, who will be presiding at this great liturgy. All of us have our parts to play in this great evening of worship. That is a metaphor for the Church and our parish - all of us have our part to play.
This is not a liturgy to attend "accidentally;" it is for serious Catholics (and serious visitors) who want to experience the depth of the Church's liturgy. Are you serious about your Faith? This might be the year to step it up and worship with us at the Easter Vigil. It doesn't get any bigger than this night. If you're ready, join us Saturday at 8:30 pm. I hope to see you there. We gather outside in front of the church for the blessing of the fire. If you have questions about the Easter Vigil, either now or after you attend, please contact me deaconhynes@gmail.com.