Alleluia! Sea of Catholic Faithful Throng Milagres Church for Easter Vigil Mass
Mangaluru: The Easter Vigil liturgy is the most beautiful liturgy in the Roman Catholic Church. This walks through the Easter Vigil and includes the words to the Exsultet. Although celebrated Holy Saturday evening, it is the dramatic Easter vigil liturgy that marks the beginning of Easter. This Vigil is awaiting our master’s return with our lamps full and burning so that he will find us awake and seat us at his table (cf. Luke 12:35ff). All Catholics attend this beautiful service, which is divided into four parts: Service of Light; Liturgy of the Word; Liturgy of Baptism; and Liturgy of the Eucharist.
And for that matter, a large gathering of Catholic Faithful gathered at the Milagres Church for the Open-Air Eucharistic celebration of “Easter Vigil” which was con-celebrated by Fr Valerian D’souza- Parish Priest of Milagres Church, along with Fr Edwin Santhosh Monis-Assistant Parish Priest; Fr Michael Santhumayor, Fr Anil Alfred D’souza, Fr Maxim D’souza, Fr William Gonsalves and Fr Gregory W Vas- all of them Milagres Church resident priests. The nearly over two hours of the ceremony began with -Service of Light, where the atmosphere in the church compound was different: the holy water fonts were drained, all the lights were out, and the service begins outside the church.
A Paschal Candle is prepared with these words while the priest marks the candle: Christ yesterday and today (Vertical arm of the cross), the Beginning and the End (Horizontal arm of the cross), the Alpha (alpha above the cross) and the Omega (omega below the cross). All time belongs to him (numeral 2 in upper left corner of cross) and all the ages (numeral 1 in upper right corner of cross). To him be glory and power (numeral 4 in lower left corner) through every age and for ever. Amen (numeral 0 in lower right corner). A small prayer was said before the main celebrant lit the Paschal candle from the “new fire” saying: May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.
The candle is then processed through the Faithful, with the deacon lifting the candle at three different times, singing: The Light of Christ. (or Lumen Christi) and the congregation sings in reply: Thanks be to God. Everyone lights their candle from the Easter candle, which is carried to them by the Church volunteers-the Paschal candle symbolizes Christ, the Light of the World.
Next followed the glorious Easter song of the Catholic Church: the Exsultet (Easter proclamation), which was done by Fr Michael Santhumayor. This magnificent hymn, which is remarkable for its lyric beauty and profound symbolism, announces the dignity and meaning of the mystery of Easter; it tells of man’s sin, of God’s mercy, and of the great love of the Redeemer for mankind, admonishing us, in turn, to thank the Trinity for all the graces that have been lavished upon us. Following the Exsultet, was the reading of the five Liturgy of the Word- three from the Old Testament, including Exodus 14, and two from the new testament, which was read by the Church Ward Gurkars. These readings help the Catholic Faithful to meditate on the wonderful works of God for his people since the beginning of time. The Gloria was sung before the reading of the Epistle of the Romans, and the Alleluia was sung before the Gospel.
As part of Liturgy of Baptism, the Easter water was blessed, and as part of the liturgy included the Litany of the Saints. In his homily, Fr Edwin Monis said, “Let the risen Jesus enter your life, welcome him as a friend, with trust: he is life! He will receive you with open arms. If following him seems difficult, don’t be afraid, trust him, be confident that he is close to you, he is with you and he will give you the peace you are looking for and the strength to live as he would have you do. Jesus has risen, he is alive! To remember what God has done and continues to do for us, to remember the road we have traveled; this is what opens our hearts to hope for the future. May we learn to remember everything that God has done in our lives.”
“On this radiant night, let us invoke the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who treasured all these events in her heart and ask the Lord to give us a share in his Resurrection. May he open us to the newness that transforms. May he make us men and women capable of remembering all that he has done in our own lives and in the history of our world. May he help us to feel his presence as the one who is alive and at work in our midst. And may he teach us each day not to look among the dead for the Living One. Amen” concluded Fr Edwin.
As part of Liturgy of Eucharist- resumes the Mass, with the special prayers inserted during the Eucharist Prayer. The whole church is called to join at the sacrificial table that Christ prepared for us through his death and resurrection. The Mass ended with the glorious saying by the main celebrant, Fr Valerian D’souza,”The Mass is ended, go in peace, alleluia, alleluia”, and the Faithful replied, “Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia.”. And the choir sings the joyful song celebrating the resurrection of Christ. Later, while thanking everyone for religiously taking part in the Lenten season, and joining in the Eucharistic celebration to mark the ‘Risen of Jesus Christ’, Parish priest Fr Valerian D’souza wished everyone a blessed and happy Easter.
Team Mangalorean wishes all our readers a Happy Easter- and since it is indeed a “Happy Day” that Lord Jesus is Risen, I end this column with a “Happy Day” song:
Photos by: Roshan Madtha, ‘ Roshan Digitals’- Mangaluru
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