In the Roman Catholic tradition, the Easter Vigil consists of four parts:
Roman Catholic deacon chanting the Exsultet beside the Paschal candle during the Easter Vigil.The vigil begins after sunset on Holy Saturday outside the church, where a fire is blessed by the celebrant. This new fire symbolizes the radiance of the Risen Christ dispelling the darkness of sin and death. The Paschal candle is blessed and then lit. This Paschal candle will be used throughout the season of Easter, remaining in the sanctuary of the church or near the lectern, and throughout the coming year at baptisms and funerals, reminding all, that Christ is "light and life."
Once the candle has been lit there follows the ancient and dramatic rite of the Lucernarium, in which the candle is carried by a priest through the nave of the church, itself in complete darkness, stopping three times to chant an acclamation such as 'Christ our Light' or 'Light of Christ' (Lumen Christi), to which the assembly responds 'Thanks be to God'. This ceremony was once common in the Church and often occurred at Vespers. Some congregations have restored this practice at Vespers, but it is most commonly seen at the Easter Vigil.
As the candle proceeds through the church, all baptized Roman Catholics present (i.e. those who have received the "Light of Christ") receive candles which are lit from the Paschal candle. As this symbolic "Light of Christ" spreads throughout those gathered, the darkness is decreased.
Once the candle has been placed on its stand in the sanctuary, the lights in the church are switched on and the assembly extinguish their candles (although in some churches, the custom is to continue the liturgy by candlelight until the Gloria).
The deacon or a cantor now chants the Exultet (also called the "Easter Proclamation" or "Paschal Praeconium"), after which the people take their seats as the liturgy of the word begins.
The Liturgy of the Word consists of seven readings from the Old Testament, although it is permitted to reduce this number for pastoral reasons. The account of the Israelites' crossing of the Red Sea is given particular attention in the readings since this event is at the centre of the Jewish Passover, which Christians believe Christ's death and resurrection is the fulfillment of. Each reading is followed by a psalm and a prayer relating what has been read in the Old Testament to the Mystery of Christ. After these readings conclude, the Easter Vigil proper is finished, the celebrant removes his cope and puts on a chasuble and the candles are lit on the altar, and the Mass of the Resurrection begins. After the singing of the Kyrie, the Gloria in Excelsis Deo is sung for the first time since Holy Thursday, and the church bells and the organ, silent since that point on Holy Thursday, are sounded again. (In the pre-Vatican II rite, the statues, which have been covered during Passiontide, are unveiled at this time.) The opening collect is read. A reading from the Epistle to the Romans is proclaimed, followed by the chanting of psalm 118. The Alleluia is sung for the first time since the beginning of Lent (or, in the pre-Vatican II rite, since Septuagesima). The Gospel of the Resurrection then follows, along with a homily.
After the conclusion of the Liturgy of the Word, the water of the baptismal font is solemnly blessed and any catechumens or, in some cases, candidates for full communion are initiated into the church, by baptism and/or confirmation, respectively. After the celebration of these sacraments of initiation, the congregation renews their baptismal vows and receive the sprinkling of baptismal water. The prayers of the faithful (of which the newly baptised are now a part) follow.
After the prayers, the Liturgy of the Eucharist continues as usual. This is the first Mass of Easter Day. During the Eucharist, the newly baptised receive Holy Communion for the first time. According to the rubrics of the Missal, the Eucharist should finish before dawn.
Meaning of the Paschal Candle
The flame of the paschal candle symbolizes Christ's illuminating light, and his presence in the midst of his people. The paschal candle is sometimes referred to as the "Easter candle" or the "Christ candle." The term "paschal" comes from the word pesach, which in Hebrew means Passover. The tall white candle in many ways signifies the Divine pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night that lead the Israelites in their exodus from slavery in Egypt.
The paschal candle holds a prominent place in worship in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and some other Protestant churches. The equivalent of the paschal candle in the Eastern Orthodox Church is the paschal trikirion which differs both in style and usage.
Description of the Paschal Candle
For congregations that use a paschal candle, it is the largest candle in the worship space. In most cases today, the candle will display several common symbols:
The cross is always the central symbol, most clearly identifying it as the paschal candle The Greek letters alpha and omega signify that God is the beginning and the end (taken from the Book of Revelation).
The current year represents God's presence here and now in the midst of the gathered worshipers
Five grains of incense (most often red) are embedded in the candle (sometimes encased in wax "nails") during the Easter Vigil to represent the five wounds of Jesus: one in each hand, one in each foot, and the spear thrust into his side.
In the medieval church paschal candles often reached a stupendous size. The Paschal candle of Salisbury Cathedral was said to have been 36 feet tall. Most commonly today, the candle is approximately 2 inches in diameter and 27 to 39 inches tall.
A Priest incensing the Paschal Candle during the Easter Vigil.For churches that celebrate the Easter Vigil on the Saturday evening before Easter, the ceremonial lighting of the Paschal candle is one of the most solemn moments of the service.
On Holy Thursday of the same week, the entire church is darkened when all the candles and lamps are extinguished to represent the darkness of a world without God.
Brazier used for kindling the "New Fire".Then, at the opening of the Easter Vigil, a "New Fire" is lit and blessed. The minister will trace the symbols (mentioned above) on the paschal candle, saying words similar to: "Christ, yesterday and today, the beginning and the ending. To Christ belongs all time and all the ages; to Christ belongs glory and dominion now and forever. Amen."
The Paschal candle is the first candle to be lit with a flame from this sacred fire, representing the light of Christ coming into the world. This represents the risen Christ, as a symbol of light (life) dispelling darkness (death). As it is lit, the minister may say words similar to: "The light of Christ, rising in Glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds."
Typically, the worshiping assembly then processes into the church, led by the paschal candle. The candle is raised three times during the procession, accompanied by the chant "The light of Christ" to which the assembly responds "Thanks be to God". Following the procession, the Exultet is chanted, traditionally by a deacon, but it may be chanted by the priest or a cantor. The Exultet concludes with a blessing of the candle:
Deacon chanting the Exultet next to the paschal candleAccept this Easter candle,
a flame divided but undimmed,
a pillar of fire that glows to the honor of God.
(For it is fed by the melting wax,
which the mother bee brought forth
to make this precious candle.)
Let it mingle with the lights of heaven
and continue bravely burning
to dispel the darkness of this night!
May the Morning Star which never sets
find this flame still burning:
Christ, that Morning Star,
who came back from the dead,
and shed his peaceful light on all humanity,
your Son, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen.
This candle is traditionally the one from which all other lights are taken for the Easter service.
In some traditions, the base of the candle may be ritually immersed in the baptismal font before proceeding with the remainder of the service.
The Paschal Candle During Other Times of the Year
The Paschal Candle. Note that the year it was used was 2005 (St. Olav's Cathedral, Oslo).The candle remains lit at all worship services throughout Easter season (or in some traditions until Ascension Day), during which time it is located in the sanctuary close to the altar. After the Easter season, it is frequently placed near the baptismal font.
The paschal candle is also lit during services that include the sacrament of baptism to signify the Spirit and fire that John the Baptist promised to those who were baptized in Christ. During the sacrament of baptism in many traditions, a small candle will be lit and presented to the newly-baptized by a member of the community with words similar to, "Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
The paschal candle is often lit and placed near the casket (or remains) for worship services surrounding the death of a believer (funeral, Mass of Repose, and Mass of Requiem) as a sign of the hope of the resurrection into which Christians are baptized.