EASTER VIGIL

30TH MARCH, 2024

INTRODUCTION: (Commentator)
Tonight is the solemn night of the Resurrection of Jesus, the night of keeping vigil for the
Lord, like the early Christians used to keep watch the whole night. By our lighted candles,
our prayers and our actions, we shall relive in faith, the passage of Christ, from death to a
new Glorious Life.

TODAY’S LITURGY CONSISTS OF FOUR PARTS:

1. LITURGY OF THE LIGHT,
2. LITURGY OF THE WORD,
3. BLESSING OF WATER AND RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL PROMISES,
4. THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST.

WE BEGIN WITH THE FIRST PART:

THE LITURGY OF THE LIGHT (Blessing of the fire):
The only light in the night is the new fire, which the celebrant will now bless. This fire
represents the Light of Christ. It shows the victory of Jesus over darkness of sin and death,
everything in our lives is renewed. We now, pray that the fire which represents Christ the
light, may burn strongly and purely in our Hearts. Let us pray that as His witnesses we too
may carry this light of faith to those around us

BLESSING OF THE PASCHAL CANDLE:

The Paschal Candle, representing the Risen Christ is lit from the newly blessed fire. The
celebrant now prepares the Paschal candle. He cuts a cross on the Easter candle. He then
inscribes the Greek Letter Alpha above the cross, the letter Omega below it, symbolizing
Christ as the beginning and the end and the numerals of the current year 2024 between the
arms of the cross.
PRIEST: Christ yesterday and today…………………..
COMMENTATOR: The priest now inserts five grains of incense in the candle, representing
the five precious wounds of Jesus, and then lights the candle from the new fire.

PRIEST: May the Light of Christ rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and
minds.
COMMENTATOR: As the Candle is lit the celebrant taking the Paschal candle in his hand,
moves forward in procession. The light of the risen Christ dispels the darkness of the night.
When the celebrant, invites us three times to greet the Light of Christ, by saying, ‘CHRIST
OUR LIGHT, we shall respond by saying ‘THANKS BE TO GOD’ and venerate Jesus, our
Light.
COMMENTATOR: All are now requested to kindly light their candles from the Paschal
candle only, with the help of the ushers. The lights are now switched on.

WE NOW HAVE THE EASTER PROCLAMATION

NOW WE COMMENCE WITH THE SECOND PART OF THE SERVICE.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
Requesting all to extinguish their candles and be seated. We now listen to the Word of God.
The first three readings are from the Old Testament and two from the new testament. Here we
will observe that there is a change after the three readings from the Old Testament - the
Gloria is sung and the bells are rung signifying that we have moved on, from the old to new
life in Christ.
Commentator: Kindly stand
Priest: Let us pray…………
Commentator: In the first reading from Genesis, we see how the world was formless in the
beginning, but it was the Word that transformed it into a beautiful creation - a wonderful
work of God’s love.
READING (TAMIL): GEN 1:1, 26-31
Response: CHOIR

Commentator: Kindly stand

Priest: Let us pray…………

Commentator: The second reading taken from the book of Genesis, reveals how the Lord
tested Abraham. He offered total obedience to God and so the Lord blessed him with
descendants as many as the grains of sand on the sea shore.
READING (KONKANI): GEN 22:1-18
Response: CHOIR

Commentator: Kindly stand

Priest: Let us pray………..

Commentator: The third reading taken from the book of Exodus, reveals the passing over of
the Israelites from slavery to freedom experiencing God’s mercy and protection along their
way as they cross the Red sea.
READING (MARATHI): EXODUS 14:15-31, 15:1
Response: CHOIR

Priest: Let us pray………..

Commentator: Kindly stand

Let us solemnly intone the Gloria, proclaiming the Glory of Our Risen Lord -.
CHOIR sings the Gloria
Celebrant: Prayer
Commentator: In this reading, taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans, St. Paul urges
us to first die ourselves unto sin and our sinful ways in order to rise with Christ, and live a life
only for Christ.
READING (ENGLISH) ROM 6:3-11
Choir - Alleluia
COMMENTATOR: The Gospel of Luke narrates how the women came to the tomb, to seek
the Lord, and were blessed with the proclamation of his rising.
GOSPEL: LK 24:1-12.
HOMILY

WE NOW COME TO THE THIRD PART OF THE SERVICE

LITURGY OF BAPTISM - The blessing of the water and renewal of the Baptismal
promises. The celebrant will now bless the Baptismal water by immersing the Paschal candle
in it. This water recalls our baptism signifying breaking away from evil and starting new life
in the risen Christ.

RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL PROMISES (Commentator): At our baptism, we rose to a

new life in Christ, sharing with Him His spirit. As we rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord,
let us renew once again what we promised on the day of our baptism. Kindly rise and light
your candles as we prepare to renew our baptismal promises.

SPRINKLING OF THE HOLY WATER (Commentator): The priest will now sprinkle
the blessed water, symbolizing living water that flowed from the side of Christ. Let’s open
our inner being to be touched and washed from every stain of sin that separates us from Him.
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
CELEBRANT: Jesus rose from the dead and opened our eyes to experience His love and
mercy. Trusting in your providence, we place all our petitions in your hand.
OUR RESPONSE IS FATHER, STRENGTHEN OUR FAITH IN THE RISEN LORD
1. For our Pope, bishops and priests that they may lead your people to be true witnesses
of the Resurrection, risen from Sin to new Life in Christ, we pray…. (Tamil)
2. For the leaders of the world that they may be united in their effort to end war especially
in Ukraine, Russia, Israel and Gaza and bring in peace, prosperity and justice in the
world at large, we pray… (Marathi)
3. For all Christians that they may dispel the darkness of sin in their lives and usher the
light of Easter into their lives with love and charity, we pray…(Konkani)
4. For people across the Universe who are sick, lonely and those who have lost their
loved ones, may they find hope and comfort in Jesus our Healer, we pray….
(Malayalam)
5. For our parish that our faith in the Resurrection of Jesus may cast away all bitterness,
hatred and revenge from our hearts and bring us together as a community that truly
loves, serves and cares, we pray…(Hindi)
6. For all the down trodden and oppressed, the girls and women who are abused, may
they see the light of Christ through the efforts of organizations that are working to lift
them up. we pray….(English)
7. In the silence of our hearts we pray for all our personal and local needs (Pause) we
pray ….
CELEBRANT: Father, we thank you for your Son Jesus whom you raised from the dead.
Help us to lead a genuine Christian Life of service and love to become genuine witnesses to
Christ, we make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen

PART IV: LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST: In the fourth part we have the Liturgy of
the Eucharist commemorating his Passion, Death and Resurrection. We now share in the
Passover of Christ through this Eucharistic meal.