Xaghra Parish » Gallery » Randan 2008 » 22 MAR 08 HOLY SATURDAY EASTER VIGIL PART 1
Jesus dead and laid to rest, the Catholic World awaits His Resurrection, the most Solemn Day in the Liturgy, the mother of all feasts. Therefore, on the night of Holy Saturday, the faithful gather in the Churches and stand vigil waiting and watching the Lord rise again from the dead thus triumphing over death. On the parvis in front of the Basilica`s main door, on an evening with a light breeze, John Attard lit the New Fire. At 20:30 Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo accompanied by the Chapter and Clergy and two Indian Jesuit Fathers approached the fire and initiated the liturgy with the kindling of the Paschal Candle (Il-Blandun). The New Fire was blessed and the Pascal Candle lit from the New Fire bringing New Light to Life. After praying œMay the Light of Christ, rising in glory, banish all darkness from our hearts and mind, he placed four marks forming a cross at the top of the Paschal Candle with the Alpha and the Omega , the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet. Between the arms, four numbers denoted the year “ 2008. Meantime all the faithful were waiting in darkness and silence inside the Basilica symbolizing the darkness inside the tomb where Jesus lay after being buried after His passion and death. The Archpriest then carried the Pascal Candle inside the Basilica. The congregation with candles in hand started lighting them from the Pascal Candle and those next to them. This light in the Basilica symbolized Christ rising with the light spreading to the world and coming into the midst of His people. Soon the church was candle lit. When the procession reached the High Altar and prayers were said, the candles were put out and a few electric lights switched on so that the congregation could follow the readings. Seven of the laity read seven Lessons from the Scripture each one followed by Psalm singing by different singers. The climax was reached when, after the seventh Reading, Mgr. Archpriest intoned the Gloria, announcing the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His victory over death. Bells in hand and those in the bell towers broke out their two day long silence as the artistic statue of the Risen Christ solemnly made its way up onto the High Altar from behind to applause from the congregation. The Voci Angeliche Choir directed by Ms. Grace Vella accompanied on the organ by its Musical Director, Mr. Ronald Camilleri, sang the Gloria while the Basilica came back glowing fully lit up. Concelebrating with the Archpriest were ten other priests among them Mgr Eucharist Sultana, Archpriest Emeritus of Xaghra and the two Jesuit Fathers from India. Mrs. Grace Camilleri and Mr. Louis Bajada animated the service.
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