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FEAST OF THE DAY

Today is Holy Saturday. We spend the day meditating on the
mysteries of Good Friday and preparing for the joyful season of
Easter. The altar remains bare throughout the day and the only Mass
that is celebrated is that of the Easter Vigil. The Easter Vigil Mass is
usually begun after nightfall to emphasize the fact that Jesus is the
Light of the World and to heighten our anticipation of his
Resurrection. At the Easter Vigil, the Alleluia is again heard and the
prayers, fasting and almsgiving of Lent have come to their finale. The
Easter Vigil is the proper time for celebrating the Sacraments of
Initiation that those enrolled in RCIA programs have been preparing
for.

The best way to give an idea of the importance of Easter is given in
the Exultet, an ancient prayer that is said or sung near the beginning
of the Easter Vigil. The text of this prayer follows.

It is truly right that with full hearts and minds and voices we should
praise the unseen God, the all-powerful Father, and his only Son, our
Lord Jesus Christ.

For Christ has ransomed us with his blood, and paid for us the price
of Adam's sin to our eternal Father!

This is our passover feast, when Christ, the true Lamb, is slain,
whose blood consecrates the homes of all believers.

The night when first you saved our fathers: you freed the people of
Israel from their slavery and led them dry-shod through the sea.

This is the night when the pillar of fire destroyed the darkness of sin!

This is the night when Christians everywhere, washed clean of sin
and freed from all defilement, are restored to grace and grow
together in holiness.

This is the night when Jesus Christ broke the chains of death and
rose triumphant form the grave.

What good would life have been to us, had Christ not come as our
Redeemer?

Father, how boundless is your care for us! How boundless your
merciful love! To ransom a slave you gave away your Son.

O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam, which gained for us so
great a Redeemer!

Most blessed of all nights, chosen by God to see Christ rising from
the dead!

Of this night scripture says: "The night will be as clear as day: it will
become my light, my joy."

The power of this holy night dispels all evil, washes guilt away,
restores lost innocence, brings mourners joy; it casts out hatred,
brings us peace, and humbles earthly pride.

Night truly blessed when heaven is wedded to earth and man is
reconciled with God!

Therefore, heavenly Father, in the joy of this night, receive our
evening sacrifice of praise, your Church's solemn offering.

Accept this Easter candle, a flame divided but undimmed, a pillar of
fire that glows to the honor of God.

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 mankind, your Son who lives and reigns for
ever and ever.

Amen

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TODAY IN HISTORY

1775 American Revolution begins at Lexington
1887 The Catholic University of America was chartered in Washington, D.C.

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INTENTION FOR THE DAY

Please pray for all who will be welcomed into the Church tonight.