At 8.30pm on Holy Saturday (19th April) we gather to celebrate the Easter Vigil. The service has four parts: The Service of Light; the Liturgy of the Word; the Liturgy of Baptism; and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

During the Service of Light, all the lights in the church are turned off and a fire is prepared outside the church. The fire is blessed and the Paschal (Easter) Candle is lit from the new fire. The candle is carried into the dark church. It is a sign of Christ, the Light of the World, who has overcome the darkness of sin and death. The lighted Paschal Candle provides the only illumination. Then, from the flame of the Paschal Candle, members of the congregation light the small candles that they are holding.

The flame is passed from person to person until everyone is holding a lighted candle. The light from the Paschal Candle and all the small candles provides the only illumination in the church during this portion of the liturgy. This section concludes with the singing of the Easter Proclamation, the Exsultet.

During the Liturgy of the Word, the story of God's great love for us is proclaimed in readings from the Old and New Testaments. The readings recall the great events of salvation, beginning with creation itself.
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During the Liturgy of Baptism, all present stand with lighted candles and renew their baptismal promises as a sign that they share the new life of Jesus through his resurrection.

The priest then makes the acclamation Alleluia. Christ is risen, and everyone responds loudly He is risen indeed. Alleluia. After a great fan-fare we then sing the Gloria and bells are rung for the first time since Maundy Thursday.

The Easter Vigil concludes with the celebration of the Eucharist. This is a joyous sharing in the sacrificial meal of Jesus Christ, Lord and Risen Saviour.

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