Jesus was taken down from the Cross and laid in a tomb yesterday and today we wait. It is a long day waiting for the Easter vigil.
The vigil begins with the blessing of the new fire and then the Easter candle is prepared. The celebrant cuts a cross and traces the Greek letters for Alpha and Omega and 2007 while praying:
"Christ yesterday and today, the beginning and the end,
Alpha and Omega; all time belongs to him and all the ages;
to him be glory and power through every age and for ever." Amen
Then the five grains of incense are inserted saying, "By his holy and glorious wounds may Christ our Lord guard us and keep us." Amen
The candle is lit from the new fire:
The vigil begins with the blessing of the new fire and then the Easter candle is prepared. The celebrant cuts a cross and traces the Greek letters for Alpha and Omega and 2007 while praying:
"Christ yesterday and today, the beginning and the end,
Alpha and Omega; all time belongs to him and all the ages;
to him be glory and power through every age and for ever." Amen
Then the five grains of incense are inserted saying, "By his holy and glorious wounds may Christ our Lord guard us and keep us." Amen
The candle is lit from the new fire:
May the Light of Christ,
rising in glory,
dispel the darkness
of our hearts and minds.
Three times on the way to the altar the candle is held up high and the priest sings, "Christ our Light" and we respond, "Thanks be to God."
Then the beautiful Exsultet is sung.Our waiting is over. Christ, our Light has overcome the darkness. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!!
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