COMMENTARY ON THE HOLY SATURDAY CELEBRATION

THE EASTER VIGIL IN THE HOLY NIGHT

(YEAR A,B,C)

BRIEF HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION

Dear Fathers! Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord! Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ now and forever
more. With joy I welcome you to this great paschal event. Tonight we celebrate and relieve the whole
achievement of the paschal lamb. On this night the Church waits at the Lord’s tomb meditating on His
suffering and death.

For many, following the events of the Good Friday, Christ had failed utterly and soon would be
forgotten and buried in the debris of history. The disciples were sad; sad because their lives might be in
danger; sad because they were separated from the source of their comfort. They were forlorn, broken,
despondently numb, shocked and bewildered, found themselves wondering if perhaps after all, the
claims of their master had not been fancies of disordered imagination, the dream of a visionary. The last
words of Jesus echoed in their hollow hearts, for the master had said decisively and admittedly, "It is
finished".
Both profane history and scripture recount that when Christ died on the cross, on Good Friday, an
unusual frightful darkness enveloped the world, as though all the centuries of a humanity lost in the
twilight of remoteness from God has here reached their final moment; the earth quaked; the rocks went
asunder, the graves opened; the dead arose and walked the street; the curtain of the temple tore from top
to bottom. All these compelled the centurion who had witnessed the crucifixion to exclaim "indeed, this
man was the son of God".

As the gospels account, the Jews did all in their power to prevent the Resurrection of Jesus. They
surrounded the tomb with Roman soldiers and sealed it. But their precautions served only to make the
actual fact of his resurrection, more incontrovertible.
On the Resurrection morning, some devout women from the neighboring village of Bethany were going
to the sepulcher pondering who shall roll back the stone for them, but before they reached their
destination, the miracle of all miracles had taken place - He was no longer in the grave. And on reaching

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the sepulcher, an angel said to them "why seek the living among the dead. Be not afraid, you seek Jesus
of Nazareth who was crucified. He is risen. He is not here. Behold the place where they laid him" (Mk
16:6).
This night therefore, the Church with all the pomp and majesty of her liturgy commemorates the
victory of Christ Our Lord and master over death. It is a night of greatest rejoicing for every Christian.
Hence, the Exultet (the Easter) Proclamation which will shortly be rendered invites all of us to share
the joy that comes from the victory of Chris over darkness. Christ our Lord therefore, has resurrected -
Halleluiah. Death has been overthrown, for Jesus has plundered its stronghold and emerged a victor.

A HISTORY OF THE CELEBRATION AND THE ANCIENT CEREMONIES OF THE

CHURCH ON THIS DAY
As tradition of the Church would have it, this night is one of the vigils of the Lord" it is a vigil
celebrated to commemorate that holy night when Christ the Lord rose from the dead. This night, the
Church keeps vigil, and waits with eagerness the Lord’s resurrection for which St. Luke urges the
faithful to have their lamps burning ready for the arrival of their master.
Knowing the importance of this vigil, the church of the second century insisted on it and opined that it
must be in the nighttime. An Apostolic Constitution indicates that the faithful gathered at Vesper of
Saturday and continued the vigil service to the dawn of Easter Sunday. Much later in the 12 th century,
the feast was progressively anticipated when the Roman ordinary had to begin the service at noon. By
the end of that century, it was started at 11:00am and in 1570AD, the vigil had been advanced to the
early hours of the morning. In the course of this progressive movement, certain problems and
disadvantages later confronted the significance and the consequent efficacy of this celebration. In
reaction to this, Pope Pius XII in 1951 restored the vigil to its proper time and place in the life of the
Church.
The first part of the service pertained to the Catechumens, who received their final instructions, were
baptized and then confirmed. By the time these lengthy ceremonies were completed, it would be very
early Easter morning. The mass would now follow and during it, the catechumens would receive their
third sacrament – The Holy Eucharist. Thus, the liturgy in the golden age of Christianity closely linked
together the spiritual resurrection of souls with the resurrection of Christ. It was indeed the beginning
of a new glorious life for the whole world. In the course of the centuries, the liturgy of this night
received elaboration until it assumed the present four-part structure of which it is made: The service of

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light; the liturgy of the word; the celebration of the sacrament of baptism; and finally the liturgy of the
Eucharist. It must be noted that the significance of this night's celebration is rooted in the very nature
of the evening it commemorates. The ceremonies celebrated this night do not consist of customs and
prayers, the meaning of which is in antiquity. No, it is inspired by one unifying thought, the grace of
our adoption. The Passover of the Jews celebrated to mark this departure from Egypt presents us a
reality that is significantly challenging. It runs in per-formative and efficacious actions. This ceremony
thus, becomes the Passover of each Christian. It brings with it the salvation wrought for the last time
by Christ and continues to illumine and direct men to his eschatological end to be realized in the final
union with God in His heavenly kingdom.

THE CEREMONIES:
The ceremony of this night is divided into four ritually related and complementary parts namely:
1. The service of light
2. The liturgy of the word(Readings)
3. The celebration of baptism and renewal of baptismal vows
4. The liturgy of the Eucharist

FIRST PART

THE SERVICE OF LIGHT

All the lights in the church are out. A large fire is prepared in suitable place outside the church. This
ceremony is initiated by the blessing of the new fire. From the blessed fire, the paschal candle is lit. The
Chief Celebrant will then decorate the Easter candle with signs of the cross. This candle too, is a
creature renewed and has the sacred function of symbolizing to the world the glory of the risen Christ.
That is precisely why the sign of the cross is first traced on the candle, for the cross is what gives all
things their meaning. Five incense grains are to be inserted on the candle to remind us of the five
glorious wounds of Christ. The Chief Celebrant also inscribes the Greek letters Alpha and Omega along
with the numerals of the current year and says, "Christ yesterday and today, the beginning and the end,
Alpha and omega, all time belongs to him and all ages, to him are glory and power through every age
forever, Amen".

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These few words express the entire doctrine of St. Paul on Christ as the Lord of the Universe. Nothing
escapes the influence of Christ's redemptive act, the whole of creation, man; things and time belong to
him, the lighted candle which will be carried into the church by a deacon or a priest, dispels the darkness
of our lives. This candle, which continues to burn in the church until Pentecost, is a symbol of the risen
Lord as far as the light brings us the light of grace. The light of the paschal candle alone will lead us into
the church. In this occasion, the Christians follow the risen Lord, symbolized by the paschal candle and
this recapitulates the glorious moment when the Israelites were guided by a pillar of fire. All shall
receive the Easter light, the glory of the resurrection from the Easter candle. This reminds us that, we are
bearers of the light. Then all enter the church, led by the deacon or priest carrying the Paschal candle. As
he heralds the resurrection "Light of Christ" (Lumen Christi), we shall all respond, "Thanks be to God"
(Deo Gratias). Then after the second proclamation of Lumen Christi, all light their candles from the
Paschal candle and continue in the procession while the priest or deacon sings the third time facing the
people. Then at this point, all the lights in the church are put on. (Let us now proceed outside for the
service of Light)

THE EASTER PROCLAMATION(EXSULTET):The Paschal candle is placed on a stand in the

middle of the sanctuary or near the lectern. The Easter proclamation is then sung. This Easter
proclamation invites heaven, earth, the Church and the Christian assembly to share the joy that comes
from the victory of Christ over darkness. It sums up the redemptive act that ransomed Adam; the great
prefiguration of redemption. In this hymn, the deacon or priest sings lyrically of the fault that was a
FELIX CULPA (a happy fault), the sin that was a necessary sin because it won for us so glorious a
Redeemer. ALL STAND UP AND HOLD LIGHTED CANDLES.
Tonight’s vigil should be so arranged that after the brief liturgy of the light or Iucernarium (which is
the first part of the vigil), the church meditates on the marvels the God wrought for his people from the
very beginning and strengthens by his word and his promise until the moment when with the
approaching day of the resurrection.

SECOND PART

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

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After the Exultet, the candles are put aside and all sit down before the readings begin. The priest speaks
to the people on the need to listen attentively to the Word of God. In this vigil which is the mother of all
vigils, nine readings are provided, seven from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament
(Epistle and Gospel). At least, three readings should be read from the Old Testament, both from the Law
and the Prophets and their respective responsorial psalms should be sung. Never should the reading of
Exodus 14 with its canticle omitted.

These readings from the sacred scriptures are the narratives of the redoubtable deeds of God in the
history of salvation. Freedom from the slavery of sin has come to mankind through this saving power of
the Lord. At the end of each reading, we shall all rise to pray with the Principal Celebrant.

FIRST READING (GEN. 1:1-2:2):

This reading recounts a victory over chaos, formless void, “Tohu wa Bohu" (Hebrew), just as the
return from exile was. It is a victory over darkness, endorsed by subsequent manifestations of God's
glory. It is about a world God created well and was ruined by sin. In the risen Christ, the world is been
recreated once again.
PRAYER: In this prayer, the Chief Celebrant asks God to help us understand the mystery of the new
creation brought to us by Christ's resurrection

SECOND READING: (GEN.22:1-18):

This reading recounts the obedience of our father in faith Abraham, the love and promise God made to
him by multiplying his descendants.

THIRD READING:(EX. 14:15-15:1):

Here, we have a description of the final episodes in the passage of the Red Sea. The liberation of
Israelites here foreshadows our passage from the slavery of sin to the freedom wrought by Christ -
thanks to our baptism.
PRAYER: Here, the Chief Celebrant prays that the salvation we have gained through baptism may
make us worthy to inherit God's kingdom.

FOURTH READING: (ISAIAH 54:5-14)

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In this reading we ponder on God’s covenant of peace made with mankind which will not be removed,
his eternal mercy and his great compassion for his people.

FIFTH READING: (ISAIAH 55:1-11)

This reading enjoins us to seek God while he may be found, leaving our wicked ways by seeking the
part that leads to life because the steadfastness of God stands firm forever for those who trust in him.

SIXTH READING: (BARUCH 3:9-15.22-4:4)

Here we are meant to understand that God is wisdom himself. Walking in the way of God means
dwelling in peace, length of days and life.

SEVENTH READING: (EZEKIEL 36:16-17a.18-28)

This reading which is the last of the Old Testament readings during this Vigil is a gratuitous promise of
a new heart and a new Spirit to the faithful Christians.
PRAYER: In this prayer, the Chief Celebrant expresses the yearning of every believer that God will
send us His spirit to perfect his work in us.

After the seventh reading, that is the last reading from the Old Testament with its responsory and prayer,
the priest intones the Gloria.

THE GLORIA:At this high moment of tonight's liturgy" the altar is decorated with flowers and the
candles atthe altar are put on. The beauty of the night's celebration is unfolded as Jesus "is once again
glorified”. The Gloria now shatters the miserable silence that has pervaded and enveloped the whole of
humanity. A remarkably hilarious song is chanted by angels, a tribute and adoration on that holy night
of our Saviour’s birth; rendered precisely in reverent submission and homage paid to the King of Kings.
This Gloria is re-echoing today and proclaims the joyful victory of Christ over death. His glorious
resurrection is a fulfillment of our salvation gaining for us the liberation and freedom of the children of
God. The singing of Gloria accompanied by the ringing of church bells, the sound of trumpets, the
heating of drums and the playing of organs, all re-enact the joy of this redemptive and salvific work of
Christ which has reference to the nativity of the Lord.

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THE COLLECT: The Principal Celebrant expresses the joy and radiance of this night through the
risen Christ and asks God to inflame his Church with the Holy Spirit.

EPISTLE :(Rom. 6:3-11): This Pauline letter admonishes Christians on the effects of baptism.
Baptism, St. Paul tells us when received through faith unites us to the death of Christ and as such in
dying with Him; we shall also rise with Him to a new life.

SOLEMN ALLELUIA
For over six weeks now, the universal church has suppressed the chanting of Alleluia in her liturgical
celebrations to mark a long penitential season; a period of sorrow for her failings and the expectation of
the healing hand of the Lord. This alleluia breaks forth today once more. It is an expression of religious
feeling, which invokes a whole atmosphere of praise and rejoicing. The same joy is heard repeatedly
throughout this season. On this Easter night, the Chief Celebrant remarkably intones the alleluia three
times and is repeated by all. It is a perfect expression heralding the Good News of the Lord's
resurrection.

LET US STAND.
GOSPEL: (MATT. 28:1-10):
In this gospel, the news of Christ's resurrection is broken to the women as they hurriedly went to anoint
his body. Christ has risen from the dead, tell his disciples that his has risen, he is going before you to
Galilee, and there you will see him.
AFTER THE GOSPEL, WE NOW SIT FOR THE HOMILY.

THIRD PART

LITURGY OF BAPTISM
From antiquity, the Church has celebrated baptism at Easter vigil. This stems from the fact that Easter
is the great feast of our redemption, celebrating both death and resurrection of Christ. A reminder of the
anointing with Chrism which symbolizes Christ, and His own anointing with the Holy Spirit at His
baptism and the white garment which was and is still a symbol of heavenly glory. Hence, the need to
bring back our lives unstained as the white garment on the last day.

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BLESSING OF WATER AND RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL PROMISES : After the blessing of
water, we all with our lighted candles shall renew our baptismal promises by renouncing sin, Satan and
his empty works and promises and also show our renewed commitment to Christ the Lord. We are then
sprinkled with Holy water to signify our baptism as the faithful sing a baptismal hymn.
THE CREDO IS OMITTED; PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL AND OFFERTORY PROCESSION
THEREFORE FOLLOW.

FOURTH PART

THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

The Eucharist is the climax of the vigil ceremony. This emanates from the fact that the other
sacraments of initiation-baptism and confirmation all lead to the Eucharist. The Eucharist in a sense is
the Pasch, or Passover of the church. It is constantly actualizing the paschal mystery and purifying
men. It presupposes the resurrection and gives men a share in it. For if Christ had not risen from the
dead, the Eucharist is empty of meaning.

BEFORE THE POST COMMUNION PRAYER AND FINAL BLESSING:

Let us be reminded once more that Christ our Hope is risen. So let us go forth to announce his
resurrection to the world like the early apostles at the first Easter; until we once more hear the message
that the risen savior gave to his frightened disciples and through them to the world: PEACE BE WITH
YOU” AMEN.
We now stand for the post communion prayer and then the final blessing.

Commentator …………………………….