On Holy Saturday the Church identifies with Mary as she sat at the
Lord's tomb, meditating on his suffering and death. The altar is left bare, and
the sacrifice of the Mass is not celebrated during the day. It is a day of silence and waiting.
The Easter Vigil
signifies Christ’s passage from death to new life. The Vigil begins in darkness and is
enlightened by the Easter fire and the Paschal Candle. The Paschal candle represents Christ, the
Light of the World and is lit with the new fire. The candle is blessed by the celebrant and
the Exultet is sung. During the liturgy
we recall God’s sparing of the Hebrews, renew our Baptismal promises and
renounce sin. The Easter Vigil includes
a blessing of water. Water is a sign of
purification and baptism. In some
Churches the Catechumens will be welcomed into the Church with the reception of
the sacraments. We rejoice at Jesus’ resurrection from the
darkness of the tomb.
Only after the solemn vigil during the night, held in anticipation
of the resurrection, does the Easter celebration begin, with a spirit of joy
that overflows into the following period of fifty days.
Resurrexit sicut dixit, Alleluia!
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He is risen as He said, Alleluia!
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