Easter Vigil steeped in symbolism

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
April 20, 2006

Catholic Churches throughout the world welcomed new members into the faith at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. The same was true for the Diocese of Sioux City where 33 people from 18 parishes were baptized and 130 people from 31 parishes were fully initiated into the Catholic Church through confirmation and the Eucharist.

Bishop R. Walker Nickless presided at the Easter Vigil held at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City where four people were baptized and several others were fully initiated into the Catholic Church.

Hundreds of parishioners gathered outside the cathedral where the bishop blessed a fire.

"Father, we share in the light of your glory through your son, the light of the world," prayed the bishop with hands outstretched above the fire. "Make this new fire holy, and inflame us with new hope. Purify our minds by this Easter celebration and bring us one day to the feast of eternal light."

After everyone had processed back into the church, a few candles were lit from the Easter candle and from there altar servers and clergy began to spread the flame to the candles of parishioners in the pews.

Bishop Nickless gave the homily following the eight Scripture readings and the Gospel. He opened by commenting that it was a wonderful opportunity for him to celebrate his first Easter Vigil as bishop in the diocese.

"As you can guess, the liturgy, our prayer tonight, is the richest, most varied and longest of the whole church year," he explained. "It is filled with symbolism, Scripture readings and sacraments."

He mentioned that they began the ceremony with the symbol of light, where the large paschal, Easter candle was lit and blessed with new fire.

"Everything is new tonight," noted the bishop. "That is why we have new vigil lights and new candles on the altar."

He mentioned that the old Easter candle was quite small compared to the new one. The new candle would be lit at all baptisms and funerals and it would burn down as well, "always reminding us of Christ's presence in the new life given at baptisms and given in death," said Bishop Nickless.

The Scripture readings, he noted, told the story of the Catholic faith ranging from the creation, to the parting of the sea by Moses and other stories of God's great love through Christ's birth, death and resurrection.

He said the water that would be blessed later in the service is a reminder of new life and the celebration of the Eucharistic prayer is a reminder of God's great love for his people.

"Why do we do all of these things? We want to say in word and action that Jesus who suffered so terribly and died and spent three days in the tomb has now risen," said Bishop Nickless.

As Christians, the bishop stressed, people should view daily happenings and world events in a new way.

"We see evil of all kinds, evil that reflects the suffering of our sin - pride, envy, lust, hatred, jealousy - on and on, but we as Christians have faith in God and hope in his loving plan," said the bishop.

Easter, he said, brings the good news that the evil one has been overcome.

"At the end of this Mass, we are to go forth to tell others Jesus is alive. He is risen. There is no need to be afraid," said Bishop Nickless. "My brothers and sisters, let us make sure that the risen Lord shines in our hearts and is shared with all we meet."

The bishop blessed the water after the homily.

He prayed, "Father, look now with love upon your church and unseal for it the fountain of baptism. By the power of the Holy Spirit give this water the grace of your son, so that in the sacrament of baptism all those whom you have created in your likeness may be cleansed from sin and rise to a new birth of innocence by water and Holy Spirit."

After baptizing the four people, the bishop asked the godparents to share the light of Christ with the newly baptized. The godparents gave the baptized the baptismal candles that were lit from the Easter candle. The candles of the assembly were also lit prior to the renewal of baptismal promises. The bishop then blessed the people with Holy water.

The celebration of confirmation was held before the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

The two-and-one-half hour service concluded at 11 p.m.