About the Easter Vigil in the Catholic Church:
The Easter Vigil is the the pinnacle of the Catholic liturgical year for Catholics, marking the resurrection of Jesus. Saint Augustine called it the “mother of all vigils.” It usually begins after nightfall on Holy Saturday and can extend past midnight into Easter Sunday morning. It is rich and symbolic….. usually begining after nightfall and can extend into the early hours of Easter Sunday.
Known as the “Mother of All Vigils,” it’s the first official celebration of Easter, marking the transition from the sorrow of Good Friday to the joy of the resurrection. The Easter Vigil has a purpose of welcoming Easter at an early hour, often with profound symbolism tied to the transition from darkness to light.
The Easter Vigil typically starts after dusk, as the liturgy requires darkness for its opening rite. It may last 2-3 hours, sometimes ending near or after midnight, though in some places it’s timed to conclude closer to dawn, echoing the resurrection’s early-morning discovery in the Gospels (e.g., John 20:1).
The Easter Vigil includes:
♦ The lighting of the Paschal candle, symbolizing the risen Christ. Symbolizing Christ as the Light of the World, The Paschal candle is inscribed with a cross, often flanked by the Greek letters Alpha and Omega (the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet), signifying that Christ is the beginning and the end. The flame represents his risen presence illuminating humanity.
Held outside, or in a darkened church, the priest lights a fire and blesses the Paschal candle, symbolizing Christ as the light of the world. It marks the triumph of life over death, celebrated as the central event of the Christian faith. The Paschal candle ties into the sacrament of baptism, as Easter is a traditional time for baptisms. The candle is carried into the church, and its flame is shared with the congregation’s candles, illuminating the space as the deacon or priest chants the Exsultet, a poetic proclamation of Easter joy.
Its light is shared with smaller candles held by the congregation, symbolizing the spread of Christ’s light to believers.
♦ Liturgy of the Word: Readings from Scripture recounting salvation history; up to nine Scripture readings traces salvation history, from Creation (Genesis 1) to the Exodus (Exodus 14-15) to prophecies of renewal (e.g., Ezekiel 36), culminating in the Gospel of the resurrection
♦ The celebration of sacraments like baptism and confirmation for catechumens when catechumens (adults preparing for baptism) and candidates (those joining the Church from other Christian denominations) receive the sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist.
♦ The first Eucharist of Easter.
The congregation renews their baptismal promises, and holy water is blessed, often sprinkled on attendees as a reminder of their own baptism.
The Litany of the Saints is sung, invoking heavenly intercession for the newly initiated.
The Easter Vigil fulfills the Paschal Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday), bridging Christ’s passion and resurrection.
For many Catholics, attending the Vigil is the primary Easter liturgy, though Easter Sunday Masses are more widely attended due to convenience (taking young children to the Easter Vigil is unlikely to be a very fulfilling experience, in our opinion).
Still, there is something extra-special about the Easter Vigil and we try to make it whenever possible.
In rare cases, like at outdoor shrines, the Vigil might incorporate natural elements (e.g., a sunrise conclusion), although such sunrise services are more common among Protestants.
Check your local parish bulletin or website in the weeks leading up to Holy Week for exact times of the Easter Vigil in your area.