Easter Vigil
From the darkness of the tomb to the light of Resurrection joy - the Easter Vigil of the Holy Night of Easter marks the highest holy day of the Church year.
We begin in darkness.
The cantor will give the Call to Worship, then invite the congregation to gather outside along the circular walk.
Msgr. Bell will bless the Easter fire and the Pashcal Candle. The Paschal Candle is lit from the Easter fire.
As the Paschal candle is brought into the Church, Deacon Coy will stop three times and intone: “The Light of Christ,” to which we respond, “Thanks be to God.”
Msgr. Bell will sing the Exultet, or the Easter Proclamation.
He will then invite everyone to listen to the grand story of salvation told in seven Old Testament readings and three psalms.
(please sit)
First Reading - Genesis 1:1-2:2
In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters.
Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
God saw how good the light was.
God then separated the light from the darkness.
God called the light "day," and the darkness he called “night.”
Thus evening came, and morning followed—the first day.
Then God said, “Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters, to separate one body of water from the other.”
And so it happened: God made the dome, and it separated the water above the dome from the water below it.
God called the dome “the sky.”
Evening came, and morning followed—the second day.
Then God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered into a single basin, so that the dry land may appear.”
And so it happened: the water under the sky was gathered into its basin, and the dry land appeared.
God called the dry land “the earth,” and the basin of the water he called “the sea.”
God saw how good it was.
Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth vegetation: every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it.”
And so it happened: the earth brought forth every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it.
God saw how good it was.
Evening came, and morning followed—the third day.
Then God said: “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky, to separate day from night. Let them mark the fixed times, the days and the years, and serve as luminaries in the dome of the sky, to shed light upon the earth.”
And so it happened: God made the two great lights, the greater one to govern the day, and the lesser one to govern the night; and he made the stars.
God set them in the dome of the sky, to shed light upon the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness.
God saw how good it was.
Evening came, and morning followed—the fourth day.
Then God said, “Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures, and on the earth let birds fly beneath the dome of the sky.”
And so it happened: God created the great sea monsters and all kinds of swimming creatures with which the water teems, and all kinds of winged birds.
God saw how good it was, and God blessed them, saying, “Be fertile, multiply, and fill the water of the seas; and let the birds multiply on the earth.”
Evening came, and morning followed—the fifth day.
Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures: cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds.”
And so it happened: God made all kinds of wild animals, all kinds of cattle, and all kinds of creeping things of the earth.
God saw how good it was.
Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.”
God created man in his image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
God blessed them, saying: “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth.”
God also said: “See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food.”
And so it happened.
God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.
Evening came, and morning followed—the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed.
Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken.
First Psalm - Psalm 104
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
Bless the LORD, my soul!
LORD God, how great you are!
Clothed in majesty and glory, wrapped in the light as in a robe.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
How many are your works, O LORD!
In wisdom you have wrought them all—the earth is full of your riches.
Bless the LORD, my soul!
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
May the glory of the LORD last forever.
May our thoughts always please the LORD.
May the LORD rejoice in his works.
Bless the LORD, my spirit!
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
Second Reading - Genesis 22:1-18
God put Abraham to the test.
He called to him, “Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
Then God said: “Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you.”
Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey, took with him his son Isaac and two of his servants as well, and with the wood that he had cut for the holocaust, set out for the place of which God had told him.
On the third day, Abraham got sight of the place from afar.
Then he said to his servants: “Both of you stay here with the donkey, while the boy and I go on over yonder. We will worship and then come back to you”
Thereupon Abraham took the wood for the holocaust and laid it on his son Isaac's shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife.
As the two walked on together, Isaac spoke to his father Abraham: “Father!” Isaac said.
“Yes, son,” he replied.
Isaac continued, “Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the holocaust?”
“Son,” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the sheep for the holocaust.”
Then the two continued going forward.
When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it.
Next he tied up his son Isaac, and put him on top of the wood on the altar.
Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.
But the LORD's messenger called to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!”
“Here I am!” he answered.
“Do not lay your hand on the boy,” said the messenger.
“Do not do the least thing to him. I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.”
As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket.
So he went and took the ram and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son.
Abraham named the site Yahweh-yireh; hence people now say, “On the mountain, the LORD will see.”
Again the LORD's messenger called to Abraham from heaven and said: “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son, I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies, and in your descendants, all the nations of the earth shall find blessing—all this because you obeyed my command.”
Third Reading - Exodus 14:15-15:1
The LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me?
Tell the Israelites to go forward.
And you, lift up your staff and, with hand outstretched over the sea, split the sea in two, that the Israelites may pass through it on dry land.
But I will make the Egyptians so obstinate that they will go in after them.
Then I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots and charioteers.
The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I receive glory through Pharaoh and his chariots and charioteers.”
The angel of God, who had been leading Israel's camp, now moved and went around behind them.
The column of cloud also, leaving the front, took up its place behind them, so that it came between the camp of the Egyptians and that of Israel.
But the cloud now became dark, and thus the night passed without the rival camps coming any closer together all night long.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD swept the sea with a strong east wind throughout the night and so turned it into dry land.
When the water was thus divided, the Israelites marched into the midst of the sea on dry land, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left.
The Egyptians followed in pursuit; all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and charioteers went after them right into the midst of the sea.
In the night watch just before dawn, the LORD cast through the column of the fiery cloud upon the Egyptian force a glance that threw it into a panic; and he so clogged their chariot wheels that they could hardly drive.
With that, the Egyptians sounded the retreat before Israel, because the LORD was fighting for them against the Egyptians.
Then the LORD told Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may flow back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and their charioteers.”
So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea flowed back to its normal depth.
The Egyptians were fleeing head on toward the sea, when the LORD hurled them into its midst.
As the water flowed back, it covered the chariots and the charioteers of Pharaoh's whole army which had followed the Israelites into the sea.
Not a single one of them escaped.
But the Israelites had marched on dry land through the midst of the sea, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left.
Thus the LORD saved Israel on that day from the power of the Egyptians.
When Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore and beheld the great power that the LORD had shown against the Egyptians, they feared the LORD and believed in him and in his servant Moses.
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.
Second Psalm - Exodus 15
R. Let us sing to the Lord who is covered in wondrous glory.
I will sing to the LORD, in glory triumphant; horse and rider are throw to the sea.
My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior.
God, of strength, of song, of salvation,
God of mine hear these praises.
R. Let us sing to the Lord who is covered in wondrous glory. (2x)
My God is a warrior whose name
is “The Lord.”
Pharoah’s army is thrown to the sea
Your right hand is magnificent in pow’r,
Your right hand has crushed the enemy.
R. Let us sing to the Lord who is covered in wondrous glory.
In your mercy you led
the people you redeemed.
You brought them to your sacred home.
There you will plant them on the
mountain that is yours.
The Lord shall reign forever!
R. Let us sing to the Lord who is covered in wondrous glory.
Fourth Reading - Isaiah 54:5-14
The One who has become your husband is your Maker; his name is the LORD of hosts; your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, called God of all the earth.
The LORD calls you back, like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, a wife married in youth and then cast off, says your God.
For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great tenderness I will take you back.
In an outburst of wrath, for a moment I hid my face from you; but with enduring love I take pity on you, says the LORD, your redeemer.
This is for me like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah should never again deluge the earth; so I have sworn not to be angry with you, or to rebuke you.
Though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, my love shall never leave you nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says the LORD, who has mercy on you.
O afflicted one, storm-battered and unconsoled, I lay your pavements in carnelians, and your foundations in sapphires; I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of carbuncles, and all your walls of precious stones.
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.
In justice shall you be established, far from the fear of oppression, where destruction cannot come near you.
Fifth Reading - Isaiah 55:1-11
Thus says the LORD: All you who are thirsty, come to the water!
You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk!
Why spend your money for what is not bread, your wages for what fails to satisfy?
Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare.
Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life.
I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David.
As I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader, and commander of nations, so shall you summon a nation you knew not, and nations that knew you not shall run to you, because of the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you.
Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near.
Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.
For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.
Sixth Reading - Baruch 3:9-15,32-4:4
Hear, O Israel, the commandments of life: listen, and know prudence!
How is it, Israel, that you are in the land of your foes, grown old in a foreign land, defiled with the dead, accounted with those destined for the netherworld?
You have forsaken the fountain of wisdom!
Had you walked in the way of God, you would have dwelt in enduring peace.
Learn where prudence is, where strength, where understanding; that you may know also where are length of days, and life, where light of the eyes, and peace.
Who has found the place of wisdom, who has entered into her treasuries?
The One who knows all things knows her; he has probed her by his knowledge.
The One who established the earth for all time, and filled it with four-footed beasts; he who dismisses the light, and it departs, calls it, and it obeys him trembling; before whom the stars at their posts shine and rejoice; when he calls them, they answer, “Here we are!” shining with joy for their Maker.
Such is our God; no other is to be compared to him: he has traced out the whole way of understanding, and has given her to Jacob, his servant, to Israel, his beloved son.
Since then she has appeared on earth, and moved among people.
She is the book of the precepts of God, the law that endures forever; all who cling to her will live, but those will die who forsake her.
Turn, O Jacob, and receive her: walk by her light toward splendor.
Give not your glory to another, your privileges to an alien race.
Blessed are we, O Israel; for what pleases God is known to us!
Seventh Reading - Ezekiel 36:16-17a,18-28
The word of the LORD came to me, saying: Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their land, they defiled it by their conduct and deeds.
Therefore I poured out my fury upon them because of the blood that they poured out on the ground, and because they defiled it with idols.
I scattered them among the nations, dispersing them over foreign lands; according to their conduct and deeds I judged them.
But when they came among the nations wherever they came, they served to profane my holy name, because it was said of them: “These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave their land.”
So I have relented because of my holy name which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they came.
Therefore say to the house of Israel: Thus says the Lord GOD: Not for your sakes do I act, house of Israel, but for the sake of my holy name, which you profaned among the nations to which you came.
I will prove the holiness of my great name, profaned among the nations, in whose midst you have profaned it.
Thus the nations shall know that I am the LORD, says the Lord GOD, when in their sight I prove my holiness through you.
For I will take you away from among the nations, gather you from all the foreign lands, and bring you back to your own land.
I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.
I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts.
I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees.
You shall live in the land I gave your fathers; you shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Third Psalm - Psalm 42
R. As the deer longs for running streams, so I long, so I long, so I long for you.
Athirst is my soul for you, the God who is my life!
When shall I see, when shall I see, see the face of God?
R. As the deer longs for running streams, so I long, so I long, so I long for you.
Echos meet as deep is calling unto deep,
Over my head, all your mighty waters, sweeping over me.
R. As the deer longs for running streams, so I long, so I long, so I long for you.
Defend me, God; send forth your light and your truth.
They will lead me to your holy mountain, to your dwelling place.
R. As the deer longs for running streams, so I long, so I long, so I long for you.
Then I shall go unto the altar of my God.
Praising you, O my joy and gladness, I shall praise your name.
R. As the deer longs for running streams, so I long, so I long, so I long for you.
Gloria
Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you, we bless you, we adore you,
We glorify you,
We give you thanks for your great glory.
Lord God, heavenly king,
O God, Almighty Father.
Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace to people of good will.
Lord, Jesus Christ,
Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
You take away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
You take away the sins of the world,
Receive our prayer;
You are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace to people of good will.
For you alone are the Holy One,
You alone are the Lord,
You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father,
Amen, amen.
Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace to people of good will.
Epistle - Romans 6:3-11
Brothers and sisters:
Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.
For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.
We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin.
For a dead person has been absolved from sin.
If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.
We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God.
Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.
The word of the Lord.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation -
Psalm 118
(please stand)
R: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Give thanks to the Lord,
for God is good,
His mercy endures forever;
Let the house of Israel say,
“God’s mercy endures forever!”
R: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The hand of the Lord has struck with pow’r,
God’s right hand is exalted.
I shall not die, but live anew,
declaring the works of the Lord!
R: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
The Lord of love and mercy
has brought wonder to my eyes.
R: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Gospel - Luke 24:1-12
At daybreak on the first day of the week the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.
They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them.
They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground.
They said to them, “Why do you seek the living one among the dead?
He is not here, but he has been raised.
Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day.”
And they remembered his words.
Then they returned from the tomb and announced all these things to the eleven and to all the others.
The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; the others who accompanied them also told this to the apostles, but their story seemed like nonsense and they did not believe them.
But Peter got up and ran to the tomb, bent down, and saw the burial cloths alone; then he went home amazed at what had happened.
The Gospel of the Lord.
ALL: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
ALL: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Homily
(please be seated)
Rite of Reception
The Catechumen Elijah Segura and the Confirmand Esteban Garcia are called. The community is asked to pray for them.
Litany of the Saints
Cantor | All |
---|---|
Lord, have mercy. | Lord, have mercy |
Christ, have mercy. | Christ, have mercy |
Lord, have mercy. | Lord, have mercy |
Holy Mary, Mother of God. | Pray for us. |
Saint Michael. | Pray for us. |
Holy Angels of God. | Pray for us. |
Saint John the Baptist. | Pray for us. |
Saint Joseph. | Pray for us. |
Saint Peter and Saint Paul. | Pray for us. |
Saint Andrew. | Pray for us. |
Saint John. | Pray for us. |
Saint Mary Magdalene. | Pray for us. |
Saint Stephen. | Pray for us. |
Saint Ignatius of Antioch. | Pray for us. |
Saint Lawrence. | Pray for us. |
Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity. | Pray for us. |
Saint Agnes. | Pray for us. |
Saint Gregory. | Pray for us. |
Saint Augustine. | Pray for us. |
Saint Athanasius. | Pray for us. |
Saint Basil. | Pray for us. |
Saint Martin. | Pray for us. |
Saint Benedict. | Pray for us. |
Saint Francis and Saint Dominic. | Pray for us. |
Saint Francis Xavier. | Pray for us. |
Saint John Vianney. | Pray for us. |
Saint Catherine of Sienna. | Pray for us. |
Saint Teresa of Jesus. | Pray for us. |
All holy men and women of God. | Pray for us. |
Lord, be merciful. | Lord, deliver us we pray. |
From all evil. | Lord, deliver us we pray. |
From every sin. | Lord, deliver us we pray. |
From everlasting death. | Lord, deliver us we pray. |
By your Incarnation. | Lord, deliver us we pray. |
By your Death and Resurrection. | Lord, deliver us we pray. |
By your outpouring of the Holy Spirit. | Lord, deliver us we pray. |
Cantor: Be merciful to us sinners.
All: Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.
Cantor: Bring these chosen ones to new birth through the grace of baptism.
All: Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.
Cantor: Jesus, Son of the living God.
All: Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.
Cantor: Christ, hear us.
All: Christ, hear us.
Cantor: Christ, graciously hear us.
All: Christ, graciously hear us.
Blessing of the Water - Springs of Water
(sing) Springs of water, bless the Lord.
Give him glory and praise forever.
Baptismal Promises for the Elect
After the Baptismal Promises, the Elijah is anointed with the Oil of Catechumens.
Baptism
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Renewal of Baptismal Promises
Renewal of Baptismal Promises by all.
Each question is answered with: I do.
After the Renewal of Baptismal Promises, Msgr. Bell will sprinkle the congregation with the newly blessed water, while we sing:
Baptized in Water
Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit,
Cleansed by the blood of Christ our king;
Heirs of salvation, trusting his promise
Faithfully now God's praise we sing.
Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit,
Dead in the tomb with Christ our king;
One with his rising, freed and forgiven,
Thankfully now God's praise we sing.
Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit,
Marked with the sign of Christ our king;
Born of one Father, we are his children
Joyfully now God's praise we sing.
Completion of Baptismal Rites
Elijah receives the baptismal garment and candle.
Rite of Confirmation
Elijah Segura and Esteban Garcia receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
General Intercessions
Answer each intercession with:
Lord, hear our prayer.
Offertory Hymn - 518 - Alleluia, Christ Is Risen
Alleluia, Christ is risen,
now the stone is rolled away!
Darkness gone and sin forgiven,
on this joyful day of days.
Songs of hope and love eternal
from our hearts to you we raise.
In your death and life’s renewal
we pour forth our joyful praise!
Alleluia, Christ is risen
from his death upon a cross.
Now all share a common vision,
love now reigns and hate is lost.
In this feast we share the story:
love’s new birth for all to see.
From our God’s almighty glory,
sign of things to ever be.
Alleluia, Christ is risen,
truth and justice from the grave,
and brought forth for all who listen:
new life from the life he gave.
Now with joyful hearts and voices
joined as one we share your love.
Here in Christ the world rejoices,
sight now turned to God.
Preface
Priest: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit.
Priest: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right and just.
Sanctus
The Sanctus acclamation is sung to conclude the introduction of the eucharistic prayer.
(all sing)
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Memorial Acclamation
The acclamation follows the priest’s invitation: The Mystery of Faith.
(all sing)
We proclaim your Death, O Lord,
and profess your Resurrection
until you come again,
until you come again.
Doxology:
The Eucharistic prayer concludes:
Priest: Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever.
All (sung): Amen, amen, amen!
Amen, amen, amen!
Our Father
All: Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed by your name.
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass
against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Priest: ... and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
All: For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever.
Sign of Peace
Priest The peace of the Lord be with you always.
All: And with your spirit.
To each other: Peace be with you.
(all may exchange a sign of peace)
Lamb of God (sung)
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Invitation to Communion
Priest: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
All: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
(While Holy Communion is reserved for Catholics, persons of all faiths wishing to receive a blessing may participate in the
communion procession. Place your arms across your chest to indicate you would like to receive this blessing.)
Communion Hymn - 524- Alleluia No. 1
Alleluia! Alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Give praise to His name!
Jesus is Lord of all the earth,
He is the King of Creation.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Give praise to His name!
Spread the good news o'er all the earth,
Jesus has died and has risen.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Give praise to His name!
We have been crucified with Christ;
Now we shall live forever.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Give praise to His name!
God has proclaimed his gracious gift;
Life eternal for all who believe.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Give praise to His name!
Come, let us praise the living God;
Joyfully sing to our Saviour.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Give praise to His name!
Communion Hymn (if needed)- 530 -Christ Has Risen
Christ has risen while earth slumbers,
Christ has risen where hope died.
As he said and as he promised,
As we doubted and denied.
Let the moon embrace the blessing,
let the sun sustain the cheer;
let the world confirm the rumor:
Christ is risen, God is here!
Christ has risen for the people
Whom he died to love and save;
Christ has risen for the women
Bringing flowers to grace his grave.
Christ has risen for disciples
huddled in an upstairs room.
He whose word inspired creation
Can’t be silenced by the tomb.
Christ has risen to companion
Former friends who fear the night,
Sensing loss and limitation
Where their faith had once burned bright.
They bemoan what is no longer,
They expect no hopeful sign
Till Christ ends their conversation,
Breaking bread and sharing wine.
Christ has risen and forever
Lives to challenge and to change
All whose lives are messed or mangled,
All who find religion strange.
Christ is risen, Christ is present
Making us what he has been:
evidence of transformation
in which God is known and seen.
Recessional Hymn - Sing with All the Saints in Glory
Sing with all the saints in glory,
Sing the resurrection song!
Death and sorrow, earth’s dark story,
To the former days belong.
All around the clouds are breaking,
Soon the storms of time shall cease;
In God’s likeness, people waking,
Know the everlasting peace.
Oh, what glory, far exceeding
All that eye has yet perceived!
Holiest hearts for ages pleading,
Never that full joy conceived.
God has promised, Christ prepares it,
There on high our welcome waits;
Every humble spirit shares it,
Christ has passed the eternal gates.
Life eternal! heav’n rejoices:
Jesus lives who once was dead;
Join with all the heavenly voices;
Child of God, lift up your head!
Patriarchs from distant ages,
Saints all longing for their heaven,
Prophets, psalmists, seers, and sages,
All await the glory given.
Life eternal! O what wonders
Crowd on faith; what joy unknown,
When amid earth’s closing thunders,
Saints shall stand before the throne!
Oh, to enter that bright portal,
See that glowing firmament,
Know, with you, O God immortal,
Jesus Christ whom you have sent!