Easter Vigil and Solemn Mass Proclaiming the Resurrection of Jesus Celebrated in St. Lawrence Church

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 08 Apr 2023: Prior to the solemn Easter Mass, the most important moment of Holy Saturday is the Easter Vigil which is also known as the Paschal Vigil or the Great Vigil of Easter which is usually observed prior to the solemn Easter Mass. The Easter Vigil Liturgy in the Roman Catholic Church is the most beautiful and meaningful. The Easter Vigil is divided into four parts: Service of Light, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of Baptism, and Liturgy of the Eucharist.

 

The Easter Vigil and solemn feast Mass proclaiming the Resurrection of Jesus Christ was observed in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle on Saturday, 8 April 2023 from 7 pm to 9.30 pm. At 7 pm. Prior to the beginning of the Service of the Light, all lights in the church were put off as the congregation gathered in front of the church. Outside the church, a fire was ignited which was blessed by Fr. Pradeep  Cardoza, the Assistant Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle along with Fr. George D’Souza, the Parish Priest and Fr. Michael Abhilash Pereira (OFM Cap) from Assisi Nilaya. Fr. George D’Souza prepared the Paschal Candle symbolizing the Risen Christ with these words and carvings on the candle.

 

Christ yesterday and today (vertical arm of the cross) the Beginning and the end (horizontal arm of the cross) Alpha (alpha above the cross) and Omega (omega below the cross) all time belongs to him (numeral 2 in upper left corner of cross) and all the ages (numeral 0 in upper right corner of cross) to him be glory and power (numeral 2 in lower left corner) through every age for ever. Amen (numeral 3 in lower right corner) symbolizing the present year ‘2023’. He then lit the Paschal Candle with the blessed new fire saying “May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds” and handed over the Paschal Candle to Fr. Pradeep Cardoza who carried it inside the church.

 

 

As Fr. Pradeep Cardoza carried the candle to the main altar in procession, at three different times he sang: “Christ our light” (Lumen Christi) and the congregation that followed him inside the church replied: “Thanks be to God” (Deo gratias). Meanwhile, everyone in the congregation lit their own candles from the flame of the Pascal Candle passed on by each other. The Paschal candle symbolizes Christ, the Light of the World.

 

Next, the glorious Easter song of the Catholic Church: the Exsultet (Easter Proclamation) in Konkani was sung by Fr. Pradeep Cardoza with his melodious voice. This magnificent hymn, which is remarkable for its lyric beauty and profound symbolism, announces the dignity and meaning of the mystery of Easter; it tells of man’s sin, of God’s mercy, and of the great love of the Redeemer for mankind, admonishing us in turn to thank the Trinity for all the graces that have been lavished upon us. As Fr. Pradeep sang the Exsultet, the entire congregation stood with lighted candles in silence and reverence grasping each and every word of the hymn.

 

This was followed by the Liturgy of the Word. Four readings were taken from the Old Testament interspersed with prayer and singing of the Psalms. For the first time after the Lent, the Gloria was sung and thereafter the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans and the Gospel regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ were read.

 

 

In his homily, Fr. George D’Souza said that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is not only a historical fact but also a fact of faith. He narrated the significance of the Risen Christ in the lives of the faithful.

 

The blessing of the water kept in a decorated vessel was the next important service of the Easter Vigil. Fr. Pradeep Cardoza invoked the saints through the ’Litany of the Saints’ following which he blessed the water and immersed the Paschal candle three times in the water. Thereafter, the Baptismal vows were renewed and the congregation was sprinkled with newly blessed Holy Water by Fr. Pradeep Cardoza and Fr. Michael Pereira (OFM Cap).

 

 

At the end of the solemn Easter Mass, Fr. Pradeep Cardoza on behalf of himself and Fr. George D’Souza  extended the greetings of Easter to all the parishioners.

 

The Church Choir enhanced the devotion and fervour of the congregation by their excellent singing of the relevant hymns throughout the Holy Week.

 

Parishioners, who had attended the Easter Vigil and Mass in their festive dress wished each other ‘Happy Easter’ as they came out of the church and proceeded home with new spirit and love of the Resurrected Jesus Christ.