Udupi/M’Belle: Easter Vigil and Solemn Mass proclaim the triumphal Resurrection of Jesus Chris

By Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 15 Apr 2017: The dignified Easter Vigil and Solemn Mass proclaiming the triumphal Resurrection of Jesus Christ was celebrated in various churches of Udupi Diocese and elsewhere on Saturday, 15 April 2017.

 

Easter Vigil, also called the Paschal Vigil or the Great Vigil of Easter, is a service held in traditional Christian churches as the first official celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. Historically, it is during this service that people are baptized and that adult catechumens are received into full communion with the Church. It is held in the hours of darkness between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter Day - most commonly in the evening of Holy Saturday or midnight - and is the first celebration of Easter, days traditionally being considered to begin at sunset.

 

The Easter Vigil service normally consists of four parts: The Service of Light, the Service of Lessons, Blessing of Holy Water and the Renewal of Baptismal Vows, the Holy Eucharist with the administration of Easter Communion.

 

The Easter Vigil Service in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle was held from 7 pm. Faithful gathered in front of the church around the newly lit fire. Electric lights were put off within the church. Fr. Lawrence Cutinha, Assistant Parish Priest as the chief celebrant along with Fr. Clement Mascarenhas and Fr. William Andrade(OFM Cap) and altar servers began the vigil service by invocations and lighting the Pascal Candle.

 

With the lighted Paschal Candle, Fr. Lawrence Cutinha along with other priests entered the church followed by the faithful who also lighted their individual candles. As the Paschal Candle reached the main altar electric lights were switched on and the Paschal Candle was placed on the stand.

 

 

Fr. Clement Mascarenhas sang the Exsultet which is the high point of the Easter Vigil. The Exsultet is the hymn of praise. The hymn, besides making the proclamation on that Jesus Christ has risen gloriously, invites both heaven and earth to join with the Church in joy and jubilation. It is the rite of sanctification of light and night and the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

The Exsultet was followed by the readings from the Old Testament  and New Testament by the members of the ICYM who animated the liturgy of the Easter Vigil and the Solemn Easter Mass.

 

The Gloria was sung during which the bells were rung ushering in the joy of the Resurrection of  Jesus Christ.

 

Following the reading of the Gospel, Fr. Lawrence Cutinha in his homily stressed on the meaning and significance of the mystery of Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

The Holy Water was blessed and Baptismal Vows were reaffirmed as the faithful held the lighted candles in their hands. Thereafter, the priests sprinkled the faithful with the newly blessed Holy Water.

 

The Solemn Easter Mass continued with special prayers and Easter Blessing.

 

Fr. Clement Mascarenhas conveyed the greetings of the Easter to all the parishioners present in the church and also to those who could not attend the Easter Vigil and also the parishioners abroad.

 

The choir enhanced the solemnity of the Easter Vigil by singing melodious hymns.

 

The parishioners attended the Easter Vigil in finest of their clothes and with happy disposition marking the end of the Lent and joy of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

 

  Easter celebrations at Our Lady of Miracles parish, Milagres

 

By Roshan Madtha

 

 

Bellevision wishes all its readers and supporters a Happy Easter.