I love the Easter Vigil celebration. It is such a moving experience. Unfortunately so many people do not attend because it is much longer than a 'normal' Sunday Mass, and for some reason, I think Catholics believe they will turn into 'Protestants' (the religious version of pumpkins) if they are not out of church in 45 minutes or less!
The symbolism of the rituals within the Vigil are exquisite. Each of our senses is employed.
From the complete darkness of the church that literally feels like our being buried in the tomb with Jesus, to the new Easter fire and the Light of Christ slowly enveloping the entire congregation in candle light, our eyes witness the Resurrection.
The bells and the organ introduce the Gloria, and our ears hear the melodic strains of hymns of praise to our God for the new life Jesus has brought.
The new Easter water is blessed and drops land upon us in the Espurgus Rite and we feel the power of our baptismal day when these same waters made us a child of God, just as those to be baptized this night will be brought into our faith.
The sweet smell of incense tells us our prayers are billowing to the heavens in a similar fashion.
The taste of the bread and wine transfromed into the Body and Blood of our Lord make it clear that Jesus, our Risen Savior, now physically enters us to walk with us and guide us each step we take, each and every day.
While there is certainly a tremendous amount of preparation needed to make this liturgy unfold smoothly, and this year this is even more so because of the changes in the new Roman Missal translations, nonetheless, it is a liturgy that I look forward to, and revel in. It is a privilege and a joy to preside, and to be able to baptize and confirm two catechumens and welcome two candidates into the fullness of our faith through the sacrament of confirmation. My only regret is that so many people deprive themselves of witnessing and participating in this greatest of all liturgies!
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