Holy Saturday—Easter Vigil

What

Holy Saturday—Easter Vigil

When

4/19/2025

Readings for Today

Preview Gospel Reflection

Easter Vigil
Lectionary #41
Liturgical color: white
Gn 1:1 — 2:2 or 1:1, 26–31a • Ps 104:1–2, 5–6, 10, 12,13–14, 24, 35 or Ps 33:4–5, 6–7, 12–13, 20 and 22 • Gn 22:1–18 or 22:1–2, 9a, 10–13, 15–18 • Ps 16:5, 8, 9–10, 11 • Ex 14:15 — 15:1 • Ex 15:1–2, 3–4, 5–6, 17–18 • Is 54:5–14 • Ps 30:2, 4, 5–6, 11–12, 13 • Is 55:1–11 • Is 12:2–3, 4, 5–6 • Bar 3:9–15, 32 — 4:4 • Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 • Ez 36:16–17a, 18–28 • Ps 42:3, 5; 43:3, 4 or Is 12:2–3, 4bcd, 5–6 or Ps 51:12–13, 14–15, 18–19 • Rom 6:3–11 • Ps 118:1–2, 16–17, 22–23 • Lk 24:1-12
Gloria; Renewal of Baptismal Promises in place of the Creed

Today's Liturgy: Shattering the darkness, the great paschal candle is lit with the Easter fire, five wax nails of incense are embedded, and it becomes the symbol of the crucified Christ. The paschal mystery, already celebrated in various ways since the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, is clearly and joyfully announced from the very beginning of the Vigil liturgy. It is in the light of the paschal candle that the liturgy continues to unfold. The Easter Vigil is the most beautiful of all liturgies. Ranking highest among the celebrations of the liturgical year, it should rank highest in the spiritual life of the parish community, not a small task in places where Christmas is considered the high point.