Notes from the Triduum: Holy Saturday Vigil

I'll write more sometime next week, but for now, here's more comments inspired by the Holy Week versions of What Did You Hear? at Open Book.

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We began inside at 8:30, processing out to the fire. It was dark, even with streetlights, and the flames, sparks and crackles intensified the experience. We sang Christ Our Light, processing back into the Chapel by the light of the Paschal Candle and a few tapers held by servers.

Candles were lit only as we entered pews--probably the safest route. Candles were extinguished after prayer.

We did all the readings in the dark. There was a Psalm after each, but not always the "official one." We did "Ps 145: I will Praise Your Name" after Reading IV (Is 54) and "Come to the Water" after Reading V (Is 55.) The Song of Miriam was, as always, a literally rousing song in the middle of the readings.

9 notes on a trumpet (Give Glor-ry to God in the High-est), and the Bells and it was Easter!

As a university parish, we always have RCIA candidates and catechumens. The homily focused on the journeys of those being received and the completeness of Christ's sacrifice.

One young man was baptised, kneeling in the pool, and the Vidi Aquam was chanted while he was out changing into his baptismal robe. He smiled the entire rest of the Mass--beaming as he and the other 8 candidates for full communion were received (during the annointing we sang the Taize Veni Sancte Spiritus.)

We followed it with Alleluia, Let Us Rejoice.

*Corrected* The Exulset was sung in English and Litany in Latin, this Parish having gotten much more used to Latin due to its use in Masses during Lent.

Offertory included Lift Up Your Hearts (OK) and Lord of the Dance (grrrr--I cannot sing two of the verses at all. Being in the choir and not wanting to make an obvious disturbance, I mouthed "watermelon" while we "leapt up high" and while we lamented the difficulty of dancing with the devil on one's back...)

We did the Eucharistic Prayer setting from the Mass of Creation, which suits our Padre's tenor.

Communion: Now the Green Blade Rises and I AM the Bread of Life.

Closing: Jesus Christ is Risen Today.

Right at 3 hours. Allergy meds made it through the duration (incense & lilies--thankfully no perfumes.)