I just came from St. Peter’s Basilica where I attended the Easter Vigil celebration. The basilica was chock-full of people that even nuns had to squat on the floor during the readings.
The Vigil began with the traditional service of light at the atrium. The readings, which were in different languages, recalled how God made his loving presence felt from creation to the redemption of Israel from Egypt and culminated with the story of Jesus’ resurrection. Several cathecumens were baptized and confirmed during the Liturgy of Baptism, including a couple of Japanese women dressed in kimono.
Lent and Holy Week exist as preparation for this great night when the church relives and proclaims the resurrection of the Son of God who chose to become human so that he could love us with a human heart in a divine way. I prayed for my friends during the Eucharist. I also intimately remembered my family in prayer.
The whole celebration lasted more than three hours but I didn’t hear any soul complained. I’ve attended many pontifical masses at St. Peter’s many times before, so tonight I sorely felt the absence of Pope John Paul II. His message was read at the beginning of the liturgy and I was quite certain that he must have felt bad not to have presided over tonight’s Vigil.
ALSO IN THIS SERIES
Easter Sunday
Good Friday
Maundy Thursday
Holy Wednesday – The Caged Jesus
Holy Tuesday – The Chisel & Tube Crucifix
Holy Monday – Brokenness
Palm Sunday – Pinoys in Rome
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