HOLY SATURDAY.

On this day too, no morning Mass in all churches of the world. The symbolism is that our Lord is in the tomb so the whole world is silent. This accounts why no Catholic ceremony such as wedding or funeral is allowed to take place on this day. Christians are therefore waiting in anticipation of Christ’s victory over death, the resurrection of our Lord. 

Easter vigil begins with Service of Light. This signifies the light of watchmen at the tomb of Christ (to prevent hus disciples from removing Chrit’s body from the tomb). Incidentally, it represents Christians keeping watch awaiting the resurrection of Jesus. The Pascal Candle is lighted from this light. This Pascal Candle represents the risen Christ and so, all faithful light their candles from the Pascal Candle. Procession into the Church begins with Pascal Candle leading the way. No light is seen in the church because Christ is supposed to be the light, leading the way while we follow behind.

 At the Alter, the Pascal Candle is set in place and the deacon or priest reads or sings the Easter Proclamation, a song that summarizes the history of our salvation. We all stand with our lighted candles as the Easter Proclamation is rendered. In the end, people sit to hear the word of God from the scriptures. 

Liturgy of the Word on Easter Vigil Mass takes a different tune from the usual Sunday or Morning Masses. Instead of one reading from the Old Testament we have at least three from Old Testament. These readings are usually taken from Genesis account of creation, down to Exodus, the first Passover and the Prophets. At this time, though there is light in the church, there is no light on the alter, implying that we are still in the Old dispensation. After the last reading of the Old Testament, alter candles are lighted and the ‘’Gloria’’ is intoned. Often church bells are rung during the signing of gloria, which signifies a joyful celebration. At the end of ‘’Gloria’’, the priest says the ‘’Collect’’ (Opening Prayer), followed by a reading from the New Testament letters (Epistles) and then the gospel and homily. 

Next is the celebration of Baptism. In the early days of the Church when many adults were received into the church, Easter vigil was the only time catechumens were received into the church through the sacraments of initiation: Baprism, Confirmation and Holy Communion. We baptize new members while old members of the church renew their baptismal promises because this celebration is regarded as the anniversary of the beginning of Christianity. So, we renew our covenant with God through the renewal of our baptismal vows. 

Finally, we enter the Liturgy of the Eucharist, which takes the same pattern with other Eucharistic celebrations and end the Mass with usual doxology. This also marks the end of our Pascal Triduum.    

Dike Patrickmary Afamefuna