[fatima]

Blessed Easter to you too Salvation!

[Salvation]

	THE EASTER LITURGY
		THE VIGIL
	1	The priest or deacon may introduce the Vigil using these or other appropriate words.
			Brothers and sisters in Christ, on this most holy night, in which our LordJesus Christ passed over from death to life, the Church invites her members, dispersed throughout the world, to gather in vigil and prayer. For this is the Passover of the Lord, in which through word and sacrament we share in his victory over death. As we await the risen Christ, let us hear the record of God's saving deeds in history, recalling how he saved his people in ages past and in the fullness of time sent his Son to be our Redeemer; and let us pray that through this Easter celebration God may bring to perfection in each of us the saving work he has begun.
	2	Any of the readings suggested at section 48 (with or without the accompanying psalms and prayers) or other suitable passages of Scripture may be used.
		THE SERVICE OF LIGHT
	3	The building being in darkness, the ministers go in silence, one of them carrying the unlit Easter candle.
	4	All stand and face the ministers. The president lights a taper.
	5	One or more of these prayers may be used.
	6		Eternal God, who made this most holy night to shine with the brightness of your onetrue light: set us aflame with the fire of your love, and bring us to the radiance of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
	7		Christ yesterday and today, the beginning and the end, Alpha and Omega, all time belongs to him, and all ages; to him be glory and power, through every age and for ever. Amen.
	8		By his holy and glorious wounds may Christ our Lord guard and keep us. Amen.
	9	The priest or deacon lights the Easter candle with the taper saying
			May the light of Christ, rising in glory, banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.
	10	The minister bearing the candle enters the building, followed by the other ministers, and they pause just inside the entrance.
	11	THE GOSPEL is read either here or at section 23.
	12	The minister bearing the candle raises it and says or sings
			The light of Christ.
		All	Thanks be to God.
	13	The procession moves further into the building and then stops. The verse and response are repeated, and the candles of those around are lit from the Easter candle.
	14	The procession continues to the centre of the building and stops once more. The verse and response are again repeated, and the candles of those around are lit.
	15	The Easter candle is placed on a stand in the midst of the building, and all other candles in the church are now lit.
	16	The minister may say
			Alleluia! Christ is risen.
		All	He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
	17	EXSULTET (the Easter Song of Praise) may be said or sung by a minister standing near the candle. For an alternative version see p. 287.
			Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing choirs of angels! Exult, all creation around God's throne! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen! Sound the trumpet of salvation! Rejoice O earth in shining splendour, radiant in the brightness of your King! Christ has conquered! Glory fills you! Darkness vanishes for ever! Rejoice, O Mother Church, Exult in glory! The risen Saviour shines upon you! Let this place resound with joy, echoing the mighty song of all God's people!
		Minister	The Lord be with you.
		All	And also with you.
		Minister	Lift up your hearts.
		All	We lift them to the Lord.
		Minister	Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
		All	It is right to give him thanks and praise.
		Minister	It is indeed right that with full hearts and minds and voices we should praise you, the unseen God, the Father Almighty, and your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who has ransomed us by his death, and paid for us the price of Adam's sin. For this is the Passover of that true Lamb of God, by whose blood the homes of all the faithful are hallowed and protected. This is the night when of old you saved our fathers, delivering the people of Israel from their slavery, and leading them dry-shod through the sea. This is the night when Jesus Christ vanquished hell and rose triumphant from the grave. This is the night when all who believe in him are freed from sin and restored to grace and holiness. Most blessed of all nights, when wickedness is put to flight and sin is washed away, lost innocence regained, and mourning turned to joy. Night truly blessed, when heaven is wedded to earth and all creation reconciled to God! Therefore, heavenly Father, in the joy of this night, accept our sacrifice of praise, your Church's solemn offering; and grant that this Easter candle make make our darkness light; for Christ the morning star has risen, never again to set, and is alive and reigns for ever and ever.
		All	Amen.