Easter Vigil-OLL

April 4, 2026 | 8:50 pm

Mass time: 8:50 pm at Our Lady of the Lake.

The daytime hours of Holy Saturday continue the atmosphere
of Good Friday, and have been observed as a time of quiet
and fasting. The Easter Vigil on the evening of Holy Saturday
is the night of all nights and the primary celebration of Jesus’
Resurrection. The elaborate and beautiful ritual of the Easter
Vigil has four clearly-defined parts: the service of light, the
Liturgy of the Word, the celebration of the Sacraments
of Initiation and the reception of the risen Christ in Holy
Communion.

The service of light begins with a darkened church. The priest
lights the Paschal candle, the symbol of Christ’s Resurrection. The Paschal candle is used to light small candles held by those
in the congregation as all process into the church to the chant of “light of Christ.”

The Exsultet is sung which recounts the saving action of Christ,
and it is followed by the readings of the Mass, several from
the Old Testament, interspersed with responsorial Psalms and
prayers. The Liturgy of the Word consists of as many as seven
Old Testament readings recapitulate God’s saving action
throughout history. The Gloria is then sung with the maximum
amount of musical instruments, bells, and choir available to
the parish. The Gospel is proclaimed that narrates eyewitness
accounts of those who encountered the risen Christ, stirring
you to a deeper realization that He is alive! There are baptisms,
bringing people to a new life in Christ followed by confirmation,
strengthening them to be bold witnesses for their faith in God.
You will renew your own baptismal promises to live more fully
as a committed disciple of Christ.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist
is celebrated with the greatest of joy, leading to our reception
of the risen Christ in Holy Communion. This is a day to rejoice
that the establishment of the Church and the celebration of the
Sacraments are all made possible through the suffering, death
and resurrection of Jesus Christ.