A vigil is a time of keeping watch for a particular purpose. It isn’t just a religious word. We keep vigil at the hospital bed of a child; at the hospice bed of the dying. We keep vigil when we wait for someone to arrive home who has been driving there in a snowstorm. Some vigils take place at a time when many people are asleep. But, we are awake and waiting. We pray for a beneficial outcome and for God to be present with us in our time of vigiling.
St. Augustine called the Easter Vigil the “Mother of all Vigils,” because it is the culmination of all of our Lenten prayers and practices, includes our most cherished symbols and rituals, welcomes new members into the Church, and gives the faithful an opportunity to publicly renew their baptismal promises. We celebrate all that the resurrection of Jesus means for us in the past and today.
There are four parts of the Easter Vigil:
1) The Solemn Beginning of the Vigil or Lucernarium. This part includes blessing and lighting a new Paschal Candle, sharing that light with each individual in the church, and singing the great Easter Proclamation, the Exultet. It is a poetic song of praise giving God thanks for our salvation. “This is the night!” we proclaim. Not “that was the night.” This is the night. In this mystery of faith we celebrate, time does not hinder us from actually taking part, or participating, in the mystery. This is the night for our broken world to be made whole. This is the night when all creation is reordered, joining voices to praise Christ—the light no darkness can overcome. What are specific examples of the “gloom and darkness” in our world? What are specific examples of the “gloom and darkness” in my own life or in my family? How can Christ put an end to that darkness and fill the world with light?
2) Liturgy of the Word. We encounter the living Word of God in the Easter Vigil’s extended Liturgy of the Word. Through multiple readings, psalms, and prayers, we hear the proclamation of God’s plan of salvation culminating in Jesus’s resurrection. As you listen to each of the readings and psalms, consider why you think the Church included this reading to be proclaimed at the Easter Vigil? What does this Scripture passage have to do with my baptismal commitment to Christ?
3) Baptismal Liturgy. Your parish may be initiating new members tonight. If so, be sure to pray for these newest community members. Next, we all renew our baptismal promises, an action we have been preparing to do during all of Lent. Reflection: What have I learned about myself or God during this time of Lent? What practices or resolve will I carry forward into the Easter Season as I reflect on renewed discipleship in following Christ?
4) Liturgy of the Eucharist. We follow the normal ritual pattern for the remainder of the Mass. Refelction: How can I be light, story, rebirth and resurrection (water), and/or food (bread and wine) for those I meet along the Christian journey? After the Easter Vigil: What stands out for me from tonight’s celebration? What one word, phrase, or image will I take with you into the Easter Season?