Holy Saturday 2015

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EXULTET  the Easter Proclaimation  (video)

"... And it was NIGHT."

These chilling words are found in John's gospel, Chp. 13:vs. 30. We heard these voices.

• Jesus: “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”
• Peter to John: “Ask him which one he means.”
• John:  “Lord, who is it?”
• Jesus:  “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.”
• Jesus: “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 

• As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him … he went out ... AND IT WAS NIGHT

 It is in this "Night" that the Easter Vigil begins.

After the blessing of the new fire, one of the ministers brings the paschal candle to the Priest,

who cuts a cross into the candle with a stylus. Then he makes the Greek letter Alpha above

the cross, the letter Omega below, and the four numerals of the current year between the

arms of the cross, saying meanwhile:

1. Christ yesterday and today (he cuts a vertical line);
2. the Beginning and the End (he cuts a horizontal line);
3. the Alpha (he cuts the letter Alpha above the vertical line);
4. and the Omega (he cuts the letter Omega below the vertical line).
5. All time belongs to him (he cuts the first numeral of the current year in the upper left corner of the cross);
6. and all the ages (he cuts the second numeral of the current year in the upper right corner of the cross).
7. To him be glory and power (he cuts the third numeral of the current year in the lower left corner of the cross);
8. through every age and for ever. Amen. (he cuts the fourth numeral of the current year in the lower right corner of the cross).

When the cutting of the cross and of the other signs has been completed, the Priest may insert five grains of incense into the candle in the form of a cross, meanwhile saying:

1. By his holy
2. and glorious wounds,
3. may Christ the Lord
4. guard us
5. and protect us. Amen.

The Easter Candle is lighted with these words: "May the light of Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds." With this, the Night is about to end. Our chains of bondage are broken. The Light of Christ dispels the darkness. The Exultet is sung.