Easter Triduum - Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday

The Easter Triduum continued to be fantastic. On Saturday night we went to Mass for the Easter Vigil. As usual, it started outside with a fire. This fire is used to light the Paschal Candle which is used througout Easter, and then for Baptisms and Funerals for the rest of the year.

The Service of Light

After this, everyone processed into the church in darkness. Then each person lights a smaller candle which has been lit from the Paschal Candle (the flame is passed on from one to another - the darkness decreases as the Light of Christ is spread among the people).

Dad and Mum at the Easter Vigil Mass

Usually at Mass on Sunday there are three readings from Scripture, but at the Easter Vigil there are nine. It takes a while but is so beautiful. In between each reading, a psalm is sung. The music at this Mass was the most beautiful that I have ever heard. We had an organist, two guitarists, trumpeter, a trombonist, violinist, someone on clarinet (clarinetist?) and a wonderful choir.

Paul and Kev

Kev on trumpet - what a clever boy!

The Gloria was sung for the first time since Lent (with one or two exceptions) and the bells sounded for the first time since Holy Thursday. We also sang the Alleluia for the first time since Lent, with no exceptions. There was great joy, as we celebrated the Resurrection of Christ!

The choir - Christ is Risen!!

We all renewed our Baptismal promises, then the Mass continues as usual. After Mass, we spent some time singing hymns of praise.

Kev, Dad, Mum and Hele

This all took about three hours. Then we went back to the ESM for a party. I had so much fun being entertained by Mum and Dad, and Nick and Donna.

Mum and Dad

Nick & Donna, Kev and Hele, Dad and Mum

We didn't get much sleep that night. The following morning we went to St Peter's for the celebration of the Easter Sunday Mass with the Pope. There was a huge queue to get into St peter's Square, but luckily we saw Theresa who has a gift for manouvering through a crowd. Even though we had tickets they wouldn't let us into the seated area. Theresa called Fr Benoit (a friend of ours) who was already inside, so he came and spoke to the guards and they let us in. This was great because otherwise we would have had to stand the whole time.

Mum and Dad at St Peter's

Dad, Hele and Mum at St Peter's

After Mass the Pope gave his Urbi et Orbi (message to the whole world). Then he wished us a Happy Easter in about a zillion different languages. Quite impressive!

Urbi et Orbi

We went to the Centro for lunch, then went out for a gelato and coffee. After this we went to St Peter's Square again, but this time to evangelise with the WYD Cross We sang joyful hyms and spoke spoke with many people who came by. In many cases prayed with them. It was amazing.

Then back to the Centro for dinner, follwed by entertainment which was supplied by participants of the retreat. I was a doo-wop girl with Chidi and Donna as Fr Marc who sang 'Twist and Shout'.

Easter "Festive" Dinner

So, we had another extremely late night. It was one of the most wonderful celebrations of Easter that I have ever had. I only wish that the rest of the family were with us.

Happy Easter...Christos Anesti!