The Great Vigil of Easter

1215 Massachusetts Avenue, NW,Washington DC 20005

03 April, 2021

Description

Easter Vigil The Easter Vigil is the high point of the Paschal Triduum and is filled with an abundance of scripture readings, symbols, ceremony, and sacraments. Being a vigil — a time of anticipation and preparation — it takes place at night, starting after nightfall and concludes before daybreak on Easter, thus beginning and ending in darkness. It consists of four general parts: the Service of Light, the Liturgy of the Word, Christian Initiation, and Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Service of Light usually begins outdoors (or in a space outside of the main sanctuary) and in darkness. A fire is lit and blessed, and then the Paschal candle, which symbolizes the light of Christ, is lit from the fire by the Celebrant, who proclaims: "May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds." The biblical themes of light removing darkness and life overcoming death suffuse the entire Vigil. The Paschal candle will be placed in the sanctuary (usually near the altar) for the Easter season, then will be kept closest to the baptismal font so that when the sacrament of baptism is celebrated the candles of the baptized can be lit from it.