This is the day with the Lord had made; let us celebrate it with transports of joy. (Office of the Church)
A few snippets from the beautiful Paschal Vigil. The richest liturgy of the year celebrating the pivotal moment in our salvation history is a glorious thing to behold. The ceremony starts outside with the blessing of the New Fire and the Paschal Candle. The priest cuts a cross and the alpha and omega into the wax, and he fixes five grains of incense into the Candle symbolizing the five wounds of Christ.
Then the Light is brought forth - the priest carries in the candle, repeatedly chanting Lumen Christi, and the response Deo Gratias resounds throughout the darkened church. The Light is then spread to all as everyone's candle is lit from the Paschal Candle, and the Light of Christ permeates all darkness.
Here is one of the Old Testament Canticles from Isaiah: Vinea facta est
Here is the Sequence from Easter Sunday Mass, a very old medieval chant repeated throughout the Octave: Victimae Paschali Laudes
And here is Jonathan's glorious postlude. After forty days of silence, the pipes get a magnificent workout. Widor - Toccata from Symphony V
As we continue to celebrate Easter joy the overwhelming prayer of the heart remains Deo Gratias! Deo Gratias! Deo Gratias!
Blessed Eastertide to you and yours, friends!
