Fire, water and oil

In the dwindling light of Saturday evening, the community gathered on the steps of the church for the beginning movements of the Paschal Vigil.  This is not a new happening for this parish, but it is among the most striking of images, and the beginning of one of the most beautiful liturgies that the Church has to offer.

The newly-lit fire is blessed (the only time in the year when we bless a fire as part of the liturgy of the Church) and then its flames are used to light charcoal, and to light the new Easter candle.  The candle is then processed into the church while on three separate occasions the cantor or another suitable minister anounces in song Christ our Light, as though calling out to the community, 'Behold'.  With one voice, they respond, Thanks be to God as they express their joy and relief that the promise of the Resurrection is indeed to be celebrated, even as we mark the time of waiting for the new dawn of the Easter day.

Once the lit candle has been placed in the church, the ancient hymn (the Exultet) is chanted as a hymn of rejoicing and thanksgiving for the triumph of Jesus over the imprisonment of death.  The waiting faithful greet this hymn as they hold their own candles, set ablaze with the light from the Paschal candle, a reminder of the candle presented to them on the day of their respective baptism, and a reminder of Christ, the light of the world, present with his pilgrim people on the road through life.

The liturgy continues with the proclamation of various extracts from the Old Testament which recount the marvelous deeds of providence throughout the history of the Israelite people, and culminates with the assurance of Paul's letter to the Church at Rome, reminding them that the death of baptism is also a call to new life, the life that we celebrate in the Paschal mystery.  The story of the women at the empty tomb in the first light of Easter morning brings the story of faith to completion.

Because of the rich symbolism of this liturgy, which includes also the blessing of water to be used for the Sacrament of Baptism, it is also the night when adults who have completed the Rites of Christian Initiation are welcomed into the Church. 

This is the night when catechumens are baptised, and confirmed, using the Oil of Chrism that has previously been prepared and blessed by the Bishop for use in the churches of the diocese.

The elements of water and oil are also used on Easter day for the baptism of infants who are brought to the Church by their parents.  This year, there were three youngsters presented, welcomed and baptised.  With such joy and celebration, it is easy to see that this is the day the Lord has made ... we are glad and rejoice in it.