The Easter Vigil and solemn Mass proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus Christ were celebrated on the evening of 26 March 2016 from 7 pm to 9.30 pm in St. john the evangelist Church, Shankerpura. This is the most beautiful liturgy in the Roman Catholic Church that marks the beginning of Easter. The vigil was divided into four parts: Service of Light, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of Baptism, and Liturgy of the Eucharist.
The service began outside the church. A new fire was lit and blessed.
People gathered around the newly lit fire which was blessed by the chief celebrant Rev Fr. Dr Leslie D’Souza, Parish priest along with Fr. Vincent Coelho, Fr. Lawrence Mendonca, Fr. Jerald D’Mello, and Deacon Joswin D’Souza. Fr. Leslie D’Souza marked these words on the Paschal Candle:Christ yesterday and today (vertical arm of the cross); the Beginning and the End (horizontal arm of the cross); the Alpha (alpha above the cross) and the Omega (omega below the cross); All time belongs to him (numeral 2 in upper left corner of cross); and all the ages (numeral 1 in upper right corner of cross); To him be glory and power (numeral 4 in lower left corner); through every age and forever. Amen (numeral 0 in lower right corner) Thereafter, he inserted five grains of incense into the candle in the form of a cross, meanwhile saying: By his holy and glorious wounds, may Christ the Lord guard us and protect us. Amen. After this procedure, he lighted the candle from the new fire, saying: May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds. The candle was then processed through the church, with the chief celebrant lifting the candle at three different times, singing: The Light of Christ. (or Lumen Christi) and the congregation singing in reply: Thanks be to God (or Deo gratias). Everyone lighted their candles from the Easter candle and continued in procession until the whole gathering is alight. The Paschal candle symbolizes Christ, the Light of the World.
Next followed the glorious Easter song of the Catholic Church: the Exsultet (Easter proclamation). "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"
The Exsultet was sung by Fr. Vincent Coelho.
During the Easter vigil, four readings were taken up-three from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament including the Gospel. The Gloria was sung before the reading of the Epistle of the Romans, and the Alleluia was sung before the Gospel.
In the homily Fr Vincent Coelho highlighted the significance of the Easer vigil and Easter itself.
After the homily, the Easter water was blessed. Part of the liturgy included the Litany of the Saints. Afterwards the faithful were blessed with water and all renewed their baptismal promises.
Holy Mass resumed thereafter with the special prayers inserted during the Eucharist Prayer. The whole church was called to join at the sacrificial table that Christ prepared for us through his death and resurrection.
The Mass ended with the glorious proclamation by the priest: The Mass is ended, go in peace, alleluia, alleluia. While the congregation replied: Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia.
Fr. Leslie D’Souza, the parish priest conveyed the greetings of Easter to all parishioners and expressed gratitude to all those who had helped in conducting the services during the Holy Week.
Panglaparish.com wishes Happy Easter to all its readers,

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