This is the night when Christ broke the prison-bars of death and rose victorious from the underworld.

“Christ became obedient for us unto death–death on a cross. Therefore, God raised him on high and gave him a name above all other names! (John 13:1)

Let us accompany Jesus as he passes from death to NEW LIFE:

Blessing of the Easter Fire/Preparation of Easter Candle: 

On this most sacred night, in which our Lord Jesus Christ passed over from death to life, the Church calls upon her sons and daughters, scattered throughout the world, to come together to watch and pray. If we keep the memorial of the Lord’s paschal solemnity in this way, listening to his word and celebrating his mysteries, then we shall have the sure hope of sharing his triumph over death and living with him in God.

Let us pray: O God, who through your Son bestowed upon the faithful the fire of your glory, sanctify this new fire, we pray and grant that, by these paschal celebrations we may be so inflamed with heavenly desires, that with minds made pure we may attain festivities of unending splendor. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Easter Candle Symbols: Christ, Yesterday and Today, the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega. All Time Belongs to Him. By his holy and glorious wounds, may Christ the Lord guard us and protect us. Amen.

Lighting the Easter Candle: May the light of Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds. The Light of Christ, thanks be to God.

The Liturgy of the Word: Christ, raised from the Dead, dies now no more. Alleluia!

After the Sabbath, Jesus’ Galilee friends and mourners returned to continue the anointing ritual of Jesus’ body. Upon arrival they found that an earthquake had struck the tomb, rolling away the stone. An angel spoke to the women, saying,

‘Do not be afraid; you seek Jesus the crucified, he has been raised from the dead. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go and tell his disciples, he has been raised from the dead and is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Along the way, they met Jesus who greeted them; they embraced his feet and did him homage. Jesus said to them: ‘Do not be afraid… Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.’

Baptismal Liturgy: Blessing of the Baptismal Water

At this time, Candidates prepared for Baptism are now baptized, clothed in a baptismal garment and presented with a lighted candle: “You have become a new creation and have clothed yourself in Christ. You have been enlightened by Christ Walk always as children of the Light and keep the flame of faith alive in your hearts. When the Lord comes, may you go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom.”

The Liturgy of the Eucharist: The Gifts of bread and wine are brought forward by the newly baptized/parents or Godparents.

“Christ our Passover has been sacrificed; therefore, let us keep the feast with the unleavened bread of purity and truth, Alleluia.

Solemn Blessing: May Almighty God bless you through today’s Easter Solemnity and, in his compassion, defend you from every assault of sin.

ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA.

Christ our Paschal Lamb, has been sacrificed; let us then feast with joy in the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia!