The Great Vigil and First Mass of Easter

The Lighting of the Paschal Candle

The Procession

The Exsultet

Rejoice now, heavenly hosts and choirs of angels, and let your trumpets shout Salvation for the victory of our mighty King.

Rejoice and be glad now, Mother Church, and let your holy courts, in radiant light, resound with the praises of your people.

All you who stand near this marvelous and holy flame, pray with me to God the Almighty for the grace to sing the worthy praise of this great light; through Jesus Christ his Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is truly right and good, always and everywhere, with our whole heart and mind and voice, to praise you, the invisible, the almighty, and eternal God, and your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who at the feast of the Passover paid for us the debt of Adam's sin, and by his blood delivered your faithful people.

This is the night, when you brought our fathers, the children of Israel, out of bondage in Egypt, and led them through the Red Sea on dry land.

This is the night, when all who believe in Christ are delivered from the doom of sin, and are restored to grace and holiness of life.

This is the night, when Christ broke the bonds of death and hell, and rose victorious from the grave.

How wonderful and beyond our knowing, O God, is your mercy and loving-kindness to us, that to redeem a slave, you gave a Son.

How holy is this night, when wickedness is put to flight, and sin is washed away. It restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to those who mourn. It casts out pride and hatred, and brings peace and concord.

Holy blessed is this night, when earth and heaven are joined and man is reconciled to God. Holy Father, accept our evening sacrifice, the offering of this candle in your honor. May it shine continually to drive away all darkness. May Christ, the Morning Star who knows no setting, find it ever burning -- he who gives his light to all creation, and who lives and reigns, forever and ever. Amen.

The Liturgy of the Word

The story of Creation. Genesis 1: 1-2: 2
A Song to the Lamb - Dignus es

The Flood Genesis 7: 1-5, 11-18; 8: 6-18; 9: 8-13
Psalm 46 Plainsong

Israel's Deliverance at the Red Sea. Exodus 14: 10-15; 15: 1
Hymn "Let my people go" Go Down Moses

Salvation Offered Freely to All. Isaiah 55:1-11
Hymn "Surely it is God" Thomas Merton

The Valley of the Dry Bones. Ezekiel 37: 1-14
Psalm 30:16, 12-13 C. Daw & K. Hackett based on Adoro devote

Procession to the Font

Thanksgiving over the Water

The Baptismal Covenant

Hymn "All who believe and are baptized" Mitt Frueden zart

The Litany of the Saints

Mass of the Resurrection

Gloria in excelsis - Mathias
The Epistle. Romans 6:3-11
The Great Alleluia
The Holy Gospel
The Sermon
The Prayers of the People
The Peace

The Celebration of the Holy Communion

Offertory Anthem. "Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem" C.V. Stanford
Offertory Hymn "The Day of Resurrection" Ellacombe
Prayers over the Gifts

The Great Thanksgiving (Eucharistic Prayer A)
Sursum Corda
Sanctus and Benedictus
Canon of the Mass
Memorial Acclamation
Great Amen
The Lord's Prayer

The Breaking of the Bread
Christ our Passover

+ The Communion of the Faithful+
Communion Anthem "Easter Carol" R. Proulx
Communion Hymn "Come, ye faithful, raise the strain" St. Kevin
Post Communion Collect

The Blessing and Dismissal

Hymn "The strife is o'er" Victory , arr. W.H.Monk