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A Happy and Blessed Easter to You All
Christ the Lord has
Risen Alleluia, Alleluia!
On Good Friday the cross was bare and stark to remind us that this piece of
wood was an instrument of suffering and execution, upon which Jesus Christ was put to death. On Good Friday Catholics
venerate the cross to remind us of this fact.
The white cloth, draped over the cross, signifies Christ's triumph over death
when he rose from the dead that first Easter. It also helps remind us that Jesus is alive today and working actively in the
world through the Church and her people. "Death where is your victory, death where is your sting....But thanks be to God!
He gives us the victory through Our Lord Jesus Christ"
(1Corinthians : 15 :55-57)
| The Cross |
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| made by Graham Hutchings |
"So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were
running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of
linen lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the
strips of linen lying there as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself,
separate from the linen". (John : 20 : 3-7)
| The empty tomb |
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| Easter 2007 |
| The Lighting of the Easter Candle |
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| Easter Vigil 2007 |
The Easter candle is blessed at the Easter Vigil. The light of the candle reminds us thatJesus said," I am the light
of the world.Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John :8 : 12)
The words Alpha (the beginning) and Omega (the end) as well as the current year (2006) are inscribed on the candle.
The priest also blesses the candle with these words;
Christ yesterday and today
the beginning and the end
Alpha and Omega.
All time belongs to him and all the ages.
to him be glory and power
through every age for ever Amen
Five grains of incense are also inserted in the form of a cross to represent the five wounds of Christ.
| 5 grains of incense inserted |
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| Easter Vigil 2007 |
At the Easter Vigil the water to be used for Baptism is also blessed and this holy water is used throughout the coming
year. At the Easter Vigil, as well as at Easter Sunday Mass, the people renew their baptismal promises and then all are blessed
with the newly blessed holy water.
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