Reflections on the Easter Vigil
I wish I had written this last night when the memory was fresher and the excitement still palatable. Today will have to do.
The Easter vigil is the highlight of the liturgical year for Catholics. For an RCIA director maybe even more so. All went well and it wasn’t until the end that I realized how tense and nervous I was. Tim and I had begun the day at a graveside in Philadelphia, burying his mother’s ashes and paying tribute to her memory. Lunch and fellowship with his siblings and a stop at the store for some last minute items found us arriving home just half an hour before needing to leave for the vigil.
Mass itself was beyond description. Truly beautiful. I love how the Easter vigil mass is such a big deal –because it IS a big deal. A VERY big deal! What’s not to love about a two and a half hour mass with all the smells and bells?
We decided that we would bring all the children with us and made sure the baby had a late nap. She did really well and spent most of the time on my lap. She sang, she swayed to the music, she looked at her books and spent a great deal of time placing candles in and out of their holders. When she noticed there was a sleeping baby in a car seat in the row in front of us she began yelling “ba-ba” louder and louder and her death grip on the pew made it difficult to quickly remove her from the situation. Thankfully she did not wake the baby and one of her brother’s was able to swiftly escort her to the vestibule for a mid mass stroll.
Matthew the 3 yr. old also did well though he was clearly tired since he wouldn’t take a nap earlier as Maria had. He asked me after the lights came up if Jesus had come back to life and I told him yes. When he asked me where He was I told him that Jesus comes to us in the Eucharist. “Oh” he said. “He’s our food!” Yes indeed my dear son. He most certainly is.
I was privileged to be sponsor to two candidates. Two beautiful women who had heard the Lord’s call on their lives and answered. What faith, what dedication! I am without a doubt, very proud of all the candidates and elect who were received into full communion at the Easter vigil. Perhaps it’s the mom in me but I cannot help but feel like a bit of a mother hen towards each of them. Most of all I feel so blessed to have been able to share in the journey with them. There was such a tangible joy. Smiles and laughs. Sighs of relief and tears of pure joy.
I had warned them that Fr. Leo was liberal with the chrism. I don’t think they believed me until they felt it rolling down their backs and sliding down the sides of their faces. We laughed about it afterwards and I ended up smelling quite nice myself after the many hugs of congratulations.
We had a huge party in the cafeteria following mass and the largest crowd we’ve ever managed to get down there for an RCIA reception. We had tons of food and it was all gone!
We got home around midnight and quickly got the little children changed and ready for bed. A good night kiss and hug from 3 yr. old Matthew and 6 yr. old Peter turned into an all out snuggle that felt like the perfect ending to the day. I joyfully, peacefully drifted off to sleep sometime past 1:00 with the smell of chrism lingering in the air.
Unfortunately I woke up about half an hour later and simply couldn’t get back to sleep. I was exhausted but my mind was still racing and I spent the night tossing and turning. Morning finally found me snoozing soundly and my sweet and loving husband left me there until I woke up at a scandalously late hour.
We enjoyed an early dinner with extended family and finished the day snuggled up on the couch watching a family movie.
I hope this first day of Easter was beautiful and blessed for you too –and I hope the other 49 are every bit as special!
Don’t forget to feast!
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Mar 24, 2008 - 06:03:06We attended the Vigil as well, love the smells and bells too, Michele!
Happy Easter!
This year I was blessed to be the sponsor of my cousin at the Easter Vigil in Sholola, PA. It was wonderful!!! It was also the 10th anniversary of my own reception into the Catholic church!!!