Language: English and Spanish
Join us for the 8:00 p.m. bilingual Great Vigil of Easter broadcast from home. This night is the most anticipated of nights in the church’s liturgical life as it, with Jesus, passes from death to life. More specifically, this night the great promise of Easter becomes the promise of all in the body of Christ: as Jesus passes from death to life, so too do we.
The Great Vigil of Easter is a liturgy of four parts: the kindling of a new fire, a service of readings, remembrance of baptism and celebration of the resurrection. Though physically distanced, we still gather -- creatively remaking the traditions of this most holy night.
Note: At the end of the Vigil, we will continue the celebration together on zoom. Check out our Easter Rejoicing event to register.
About Kindling the New Fire
We begin by kindling a new fire, a sign of life and light for all the world.
Prepare by gathering several candles. Toward the beginning of this section, we will each light one candle and then, as the Exultet -- the great proclamation of the resurrection -- is chanted we light more and more candles in our midst.
About the Service of Readings
We share the arc of God’s saving promises, each leading from death to new life: The Promise of Creation (Genesis 1:1-2:4a), The Promise at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21), The Promise to Jonah (Jonah 3:1-10), The Promise at the Valley of the Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14), The Promise in the Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3:1-29).
Prepare by placing a Bible before you or another sign of God’s promise.
About the Remembrance of Baptism
We remember the promises of forgiveness and new life made to us in baptism, affirming our faith and our identities as beloved children of God.
Prepare by placing a bowl of water before you. As we remember and affirm the gift of baptism, we mark ourselves with water and the sign of the cross.
About the Celebration of the Resurrection
The risen Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene as she weeps outside his empty tomb. She recognizes him as he speaks her name, and she hurries to the disciples announcing, “I have seen the Lord.” We celebrate the first mass of Easter, in joy and thanksgiving for renewal and new life.
Prepare by gathering bells, chimes, or other items with which you can make a joyful noise! Proclaiming Christ’s resurrection, we ring bells and sing with joy “Alleluia, Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed, Alleluia!”