First Easter Vigil

[mom2em]

I was not sure if I would make it tonight. Two weeks strong with this barking cough, but all the other nastiness is gone. And if I didn’t get a tickle, this cough would be gone too. But we did get to make it!!

So my five year old and I went. I think there was only one little girl there and her age. They were both really well behaved.

My daughter was a little afraid at first when the lights were turned off. But once she could see Fr. bringing in the light, and being allowed to have a candle of her own, she was fine. Her behaviour through out was wonderful. While holding her candle she’d made a little comment about holding Jesus in her hand. She knows he is the light. She’s very anxious for communion so I think this aspect of the mass at the time, was just great for her.

But when it came time for the lights to come out and the white banners (I apologize if that that isn’t the proper word) to be put up, the singing … the bells!! It felt like my heart exploded. I had the silliest smile on my face. I didn’t know if I should have laughed (not in a bad way mind you) or cried. And my daughter … her eyes were as big as mine!

A lovely lady was received into the church and late invited us down for tea and cookies. Wish it weren’t as late as it were and my daughter wasn’t getting sleepy or I think I would have liked to have stayed a little longer.

All in all, I think the Vigil is now for us! I loved Easter Sunday mass last year but … this, this was breath taking!!!

Thank you EVERYONE for posting about your experiences at Easter Vigil.

 

[Balian]

Thanks for posting about your Easter Vigil experience and I’m so glad that you got well in time to go. The description of how the experience affected your young daughter was so precious and made me smile. This was my first Easter Vigil as I am a new convert and was confirmed this evening so of course it will always be a memorable one for me. Glad you had such a great experience this year and thanks again for sharing. Peace.

 

[djwright4341]

I love the Easter Vigil. I was a sponsor for a young man who was Baptized, Confirmed and received his first Holy Communion tonight. Not sure who was smiling more–me or him. The Vigil is all the more powerful after attending Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Seeing the light spread and chase the darkness out is very inspiring.

 

[TimothyH]

The proclamation sung by one of the deacons at our Church was spectacular.

My breath was taken away at some points during the litugry.

I wish every one of my Evangelical friends could have experienced it.

-Tim-

 

[figs]

mom2em
it sounds like you and your daughter shared a beautiful experience, a beautiful, forever memory!
I enjoyed reading your post, thank you for sharring

Happy Easter!

 

[Anna_Claire]

Thank you for your story! I always find this night so exciting. It makes me sad when people say they won’t go because it’s too long…they just don’t know what they’re missing!

 

[CatholicJHwk]

I was not sure if I would make it tonight. Two weeks strong with this barking cough, but all the other nastiness is gone. And if I didn’t get a tickle, this cough would be gone too. But we did get to make it!!

Glad to hear you’re feeling better. I think everyone had that. My wife had one step short of the flu a few weeks ago, then passed on the hoarseness to me over Final Four weekend. Up until maybe Thursday I still had a small cough.

But when it came time for the lights to come out and the white banners (I apologize if that that isn’t the proper word) to be put up, the singing … the bells!! It felt like my heart exploded. I had the silliest smile on my face. I didn’t know if I should have laughed (not in a bad way mind you) or cried. And my daughter … her eyes were as big as mine!

I ALWAYS get that feeling at Vigil when the choir bursts into the Gloria. I was a little disappointed this year - in years past the music starts, lights come on, and members of the RCIA bring forth the altar cloth and decorate it. From Holy Thursday up until this point the altar was bare. But alas, that didn’t happen this year, it was already covered. Not to mention I wasn’t a big fan of the arrangement the choir used. I know, I’m so picky! Anyway, know you’re not alone with that “feel good” Cheshire cat grin.

All in all, I think the Vigil is now for us! I loved Easter Sunday mass last year but … this, this was breath taking!!!

Thank you EVERYONE for posting about your experiences at Easter Vigil.

I love our Easter Vigil. For the important reasons but also, and this is the part where I sound horrible, ours is never that crowded. Growing up, at my parents you had to get there 45 minutes to an hour beforehand if you wanted a seat - at ours we get there 15-20 minutes before and end up having at least half a pew to ourselves. It’s a sad state considering we’re the largest parish in the archdiocese, and that they miss out on the awesome opportunity to be closer on the holiest night/day of the year. Maybe next year things will change.

 

[sinner]

Our Vigil Mass lasted 2 hours, and I just wish we would read ALL of the readings instead of just 3 of 7. I feel “scripture-deprived” since at every other Mass we always use the shorter versions of the readings when available.

 

[MissRose73]

I am glad you had a great experience at the Easter Vigil Mass. I went to one at my parish, and glad I did even though it meant I would have to be up later than normal for my early start at my job the next day. I had no been to an Easter Vigil Mass since I was one of the sponsors for my sister’s 2 children who received all 3 Sacraments of Initiation that year.