Easter Vigil Archives - Page 3 of 4

At ‘mother of all vigils,’ U.S. church welcomes thousands of new Catholics

Apr 19, 2017

Thousands of new Catholics joined the Church in the United States during the “mother of vigils” when catechumens receive the sacraments of initiation. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington reported the number of candidates in nearly 60 dioceses.

By Catholic News Service

Roman Missal calls Easter Vigil ‘mother of all vigils’ for a reason

Apr 16, 2017

The Easter Vigil is loaded with symbolism. It must take place after dark and begins with the lighting of the fire outside and the inside lighting of the Paschal candle, whose light is passed on to individual candles. There are seven Old Testament readings telling the salvation history, sung responses between readings and a sung proclamation called an Exsultet.

By Carol Zimmermann

Pope says face of grief for Christ’s passion seen in the poor

Apr 15, 2017

Pope Francis is well known for finding parallels between Gospel scenes and contemporary happenings, and he did so again during the Easter vigil Mass on Saturday. The pontiff suggested that the grieving and fearful faces of the two women who accompanied Jesus during his passion, and who sought out his body in the tomb, can be glimpsed today in the poor, victims of human trafficking, and all those who bear injustice.

By Inés San Martín

Holy Sepulchre, Holy Saturday

Apr 15, 2017

A recent, and long needed, restoration of the most sacred chapel in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is a small sign of the progress that has been made in the relationship among the Churches which control the shrine. This year – when Catholic and Orthodox Easter fall on the same day – Holy Saturday will be a busy day in the church.

By Father Raymond J. de Souza

Priest converts from Zoroastrianism to baptize his mother

Mar 27, 2017

The spiritual journey of one Indian-born priest has taken many unexpected turns, as he has traveled from the probable religion of the three wise men to the Catholic Church. Now, his own mother has decided to join him on the journey.

By Nirmala Carvalho

Pope’s schedule for Holy Week and Easter

Mar 4, 2017

Easter season has arrived, and Pope Francis keeps a rather packed schedule to attend to. Here is the list of events and places he will be over Holy Week and Easter and what he will be doing at each. This is a great time to be in Rome!

By Carol Glatz