Contributed by Mary Lou Rosien
EASTER VIGIL Master Copy*
(I had to use the Missal of the Vigil to create the updated Rite as it was not online. Feel free to use it, but I accept NO responsibility for errors, nor do I accept compensation for this work. We had to tweak it for our needs, please do the same.) *disclaimer
Catechumens:
Candidates:
The New Fire
Fr. , Deacon , servers, ushers and lector gather near the fire. One of the servers holds the notebook for Fr. .
Fr. gives the Greeting.
Greeting
Fr. : Dear brethren (brothers and sisters),
on this most sacred night,
in which our Lord Jesus Christ
passed from death to life,
the Church calls upon her sons and daughters, scattered thoughout 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.
Fr. blesses the fire.
Blessing of Fire
Fr. : Let us pray:
(pause)
Oh 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.
Response: Amen
The Paschal Candle
Fr. is joined at the fire by Deacon who holds the Paschal Candle for Fr. while he traces the cross on the candle saying:
Fr. : Christ – Yesterday and today,
The beginning and the end,
Alpha …… and Omega;
All time begs to him and all the ages;
to him be glory and power
through every age and for ever.
Amen.
Fr. inserts five grains of incense in the candle. He does this in the form of a cross saying:
Fr. : 1. By his holy
2. and glorious wounds
3. may Christ the Lord
4. guard us
5. and protect us. Amen.
(Using a taper or another type of lighting implement, Fr. lights the candle from the fire.)
The Procession & Proclamation
- Lead by the Easter Candle the procession begins.
- Thourifer (incense), Deacon, Priest, Altar Servers, Lector, Catechumens/Candidates, followed by Congregation.
- Upon arrival at the head of the main aisle Deacon holds up Paschal Candle and intones “The Light of Christ”. All respond “Thanks be to God”. Deacon also intones “The Light of Christ” halfway down the aisle and upon reaching sanctuary.
- Fr. , the servers, catechumen, candidates and lectors light their candles from the Easter Candle. Catechumens/Candidates help congregation lit their candles as they process into church
- The procession into the Church takes place with Deacon and Fr. leading the way followed by altar servers. Lector and congregation.
- Exsultet is to be sung by Summa
After the Exsultet is completed, Fr. gives the introduction to the Readings from the lectern and asks people to extinguish their candles.
the lights comes on
Liturgy of the Word
Fr. : Dear brethern,
we have begun our solemn Vigil.
Let us now listen with quiet hearts
to the Word of God,
Let us meditate on how God in times past saved his people and in these,
the last days, has sent us his Son as our Redeemer.
Let us pray that our God may complete this paschal work of salvation by the fullness of redemption.
1st Reading (psalm/prayer)
2nd Reading (psalm/prayer)
3rd Reading (psalm/prayer)
Altar and Tabernacle Candles lit (4)
Gloria
Opening Prayer
Fr. : Let us pray
(pause)
O God, who makes this most sacred night radiant
with the glory of the Lord’s Resurrection
stir up in your Church a spirit of adoption
so that, renewed in body and mind,
we may render you undivided service.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
All: Amen
Epistle
Gospel Acclamation: As the Gospel Acclamation begins, the thurifer (servers) brings the thurible to Fr. who will prepare the thurible. Then N. will then incense the Book of the Gospels.
Gospel Procession w/incense only.
Homily Fr.
Immediately after the homily is concluded new charcoal is placed in thurifer and lit
The Rite of Initiation
RCIA Coordinator will invite Catechumens and Sponsors to stand and come forward.
RCIA Coord. : On behalf of the RCIA team, and representing the parish community of __________ I invite ______________________to come forward and stand with their sponsors so that they may be received and welcomed into our community through the celebration of the sacrament of baptism.
From the chair the Fr. gives the Instruction.
Instruction
Fr. Dearly beloved,
let us pray to almighty God for our brothers and sisters
who are asking for baptism.
They have been called and brought to this moment;
may God grant them light and strength to follow Christ
with a resolute heart and to profess the faith of the Church.
May God give these chosen ones,
who are about to be baptized,
the new life of the Holy Spirit,
whom we are about to call down on this water.
or:
Dearly beloved,
with one heart and one soul, let us by our prayers
come to the aid of these our brothers and sisters in their blessed hope,
so that, as they approach the font of rebirth,
the almighty Father may bestow on them all his merciful help.
Following the Instruction the cantor will invite people to stand for the Litany of the Saints.
Litany of the Saints – Cantor
After the Litany of the Saints is completed; Catechumens and Fr. will go to the Baptismal Font for the Blessing of the Water. People are invited to be seated.
Blessing of Water:
Fr. : (with hands extended says:)
Almighty ever-living God,
be present by the mysteries of your great love
and send for the the spirit of adoption to create the new peoples brought to birth for you in the font of Baptism,
so that what is to be carried out by our humble service
may be brought to fulfillment by your mighty power.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen
(All pray silently; Fr. continues)
O God, who by invisible power
accomplish a wondrous effect
through sacramental signs
and who in many ways have prepared water, your creation,
to show for the the grace of Baptism;
O God, whose Spirit
in the first moments of the world’s creation
hovered over the waters,
so that the very substance of water
would even then take to itself the power to sanctify;
O God, who by the outpouring of the flood
foreshadowed regeneration,
so that from the mystery of one and the same element of
water would come an end to vice and a beginning of virtue;
O God, who caused the children of Abraham
to pass dry-shod through the Red Sea,
so that the chosen people,
set free from slavery to Pharaoh,
would prefigure the people of the baptized;
O God, whose Son,
baptized by John in the waters of the Jordan,
was anointed with the Holy Spirit,
and, as he hung upon the Cross,
gave forth water from his side along with blood,
and after his Resurrection, commanded his disciples:
“Go forth, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
look now, we pray, upon the face of your Church
and graciously unseal for her the fountain of Baptism.
May this water receive by the Holy Spirit
the grace of the your Only Begotten Son,
so that human nature, created in your image
and washed clean through the Sacrament of Baptism
from all the squalor of the life of old,
may be found worthy to rise to the life of newborn children
though water and the Holy Spirit.
Deacon Lowers the Paschal Candle 3 times into the font.
May the power of the Holy Spirit,
O Lord, we pray,
come down through your Son,
into the fullness of this font.
so that all who have been buried with Christ
by Baptism into death may rise again to life with him.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
All: Amen
All: Springs of water, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Turning to congregation Fr. invites their response as well after Catechumens…
Fr. : Names of Catechumens…
Do you reject Satan, all his works,
and all his empty promises?
Catechumens: I do.
Fr. : Do you believe in God,
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth?
Catechumens: I do.
Fr. : Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was born of the Virgin Mary,
was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead,
and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
Catechumens: I do.
Fr. : Do you believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sin,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting?
Catechumens: I do.
Fr. : Is it your will to be baptized in the faith of the Church which you have just professed?
Catechumens: It is [Yes].
Baptism
Fr. baptizes Catechumens
Fr. : God Parents, please place your hand on the right shoulder of the Catechumen.
Fr. I baptize you in the name of the Father,
The Son,
and the Holy Spirit
Annointing with Chrism of those NOT being Confirmed at this time.
Fr.: The God of power and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has freed you from sin and brought you to new
life through water and the Holy Spirit.
He now anoints you with the chrism of salvation, so that, united with his people,
you main remain for ever a member of Christ
who is Priest, Prophet and King.
Prayer of White Clothing
Fr. : Names of newly baptized…, you have become a new creations and have immersed yourself in Christ. Your white clothing is a sign of the beginning of your new journey in faith with Jesus Christ and this community.
The Baptized: Amen
Baptismal Candle
Fr. : Godparents, please come forward to give the newly baptized the of
Christ.
You have received the light of Christ
and have been enlightened by Christ.
Walk always as a child of the light
and keep the flame of faith alive in your heart.
When the Lord comes,
may you go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom.
Baptized: Amen.
Sprinkling of the People:
I saw water flowing from the right side of the temple, alleluia.
It brought God’s life and his salvation,
and the people sang in joyful praise:
alleluia, alleluia. (Ez. 47:1-2,9)
Fr. Joe: God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit and forgiven all our sins.
May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
As the Baptismal Rite comes to conclusion, Candidates ( Called up by the RCIA Coordinator) join newly Baptized for Confirmation.
RCIA Coordinator: Candidates along with the newly baptized, of your own free will, you have asked to be received into full communion of the Catholic Church. You have made your decision after careful thought under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I now invite you to come forward with your sponsors and in the presence of this community. In this faith you will be one with us for the first time at the Eucharistic table of the Lord Jesus, the sign of the Church’s unity.
Confirmation
Fr. : Names of Candidates/Newly Confirmed….by your baptism you were born again in Christ and you became a member of Christ and of his priestly people. Now you are to share in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit among us, the Spirit sent by the Lord upon his apostles at Pentecost and given by them and their successors to the baptized.
The promised strength of the Holy Spirit, which you are to receive, will make you more like Christ and help you to be a witness to his suffering, death, and resurrection. It will strengthen you to be an active member of the church and to build up the Body of Christ in faith and love.
turning and addressing the congregation
Fr. : My dear friends, let us pray to God our Father, that he will pour out the Holy spirit these chosen ones,to strengthen them with their gifts and anoint them to be more like Christ, the Son of God.
facing those to be confirmed extend hands over them
All powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by water and the Holy Spirit
you freed your son from sin and gave him new life.
Send your Holy Spirit upon them
to be their Helper and Guide.
Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of right judgment and courage,
the spirit of knowledge and reverence.
Fill him with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
ALL: Amen
Confirmation takes place at this time. Deacon assisting Fr. will hold sacred chrism (names: )
Fr. : Sponsors please place your hand on the right shoulder of your candidate.
Fr. : name be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
Confirmed: Amen.
Fr. : Peace be with you.
Confirmed: And with your spirit.
After Confirmation, the Fr. presents the confirmed to the assembly (invite sign of support – applause)..
After completion Fr. will invite all to stand for the Intercessions
Introduction to the Intercessions:
Fr. : By the resurrection of Christ,
God has given us a new birth unto a living hope.
Let our Easter prayer embrace the needs of all the human family as we offer it through Christ who intercedes for us at the Father’s right hand.
Intercessions:
Closing to the Intercessions:
Fr. : Fill your Church, O God of glory
with the power flowing from Christ’s resurrection,
that we may be present in the midst of the world your Son redeemed
as the beginnings of a renewed humanity
risen to new life with Christ,
who lives and reigns forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Newly Confirmed
will go to the rear of Church at the conclusion of the General Intercessions. Following the collection, they will bring the gifts forward. Preparation of the Gifts will take place in normal fashion.
Preparation of Gifts
Receiving of Gifts (gifts will be incensed)
Eucharistic Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Sign of Peace
Lamb of God
Communion: Newly Confirmed will come forward to Fr. to receive First Communion. Their families may accompany them and receive Communion at the same time. All Extra-ordinary Ministers will wait until candidates, sponsors & families receive before going to their normal stations.
Prayer After Communion:
Fr. Let us pray (pause)
Pour out on us, O Lord, the Spirit of your love,
and in your kindness make those you have nourished
by this paschal Sacrament
one in mind and heart.
Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Blessing:
Fr. : May almighty God bless us
on this solemn feast of Easter.
Through the resurrection of his Son
God has granted us healing.
May he fulfill his promises
and bless us with eternal life.
May the blessing of almighty God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, descend upon us and remain with us always.
All: Amen.
Solemn Dismissal
Intoned by Deacon
Deacon : Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, Alleluia, Alleluia!
All: Thanks be to God! Alleluia, Alleluia!
Order of Recession
Cross bearer
Candles
Lectors
Fr.
