Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil are the one continuous liturgy of the Sacred Paschal Triduum, which concludes with tonight’s splendid celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord.
The Easter Vigil is intimately connected with our OCIA Elect, who have been preparing all year for their reception of the Sacraments of Initiation. They are a living symbol of the risen Christ. Their faith inspires and renews the faith of those of us who have been walking this spiritual journey for many years. Jesus Christ is truly risen today!
The liturgy of the Easter Vigil consists of four parts:
- Lucenarium (Service of Light)
- Liturgy of the Word
- Baptismal Liturgy
- Liturgy of the Eucharist
The Lucenarium includes the blessing of the Easter fire; the preparation of the Paschal Candle which leads the procession of light; and the solemn chanting of the Exsultet, the proclamation of the risen Christ that is arguably the Church’s greatest song. Be sure to listen and pray attentively as your priest, deacon and other ministers lead your community through these ancient traditions of our Church.
The Liturgy of the Word unfolds with seven Old Testament readings that trace salvation history from the story of Creation in Genesis, through the Exodus and the prophets. Our OCIA Elect are thus dramatically given context for their place in salvation’s ever unfolding story, which leads to the New Testament reading from Romans 6:3-11. “Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” The service of the Word climaxes in the proclamation of the Easter Gospel, this year from the Gospel of Luke. The women at the tomb saw two men in dazzling white. Their simple but powerful message? “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised.”
That’s a total of nine readings, and the first eight have their own Responsorial Psalm!
There are three approaches to the Responsorial Psalms. The first option is to sing the Lectionary psalms assigned to each reading; the second option is to sing a common psalm that will serve as a response to all the readings. For the third option, you can simply observe meaningful sacred silence after each reading.
Thanks to our Spirit & Psalm resource, we now have contemporary settings for all seven Responsorial Psalms plus the unique hybrid Psalm 118/Alleluia that follows the Epistle reading.
After the First Reading from Genesis 1 Psalm 33: The Earth Is Full of the Goodness of the Lord (Dana Catherine)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 168
After the Second Reading from Genesis 22 Psalm 16: You Are My Inheritance, O Lord (Paul Hillebrand)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 170
After the Third Reading from Exodus Exodus 15: Let Us Sing to the Lord (Curtis Stephan)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 172
After the Fourth Reading from Isaiah 54 Psalm 30: I Will Praise You, Lord, for You Have Rescued Me (PJ Anderson)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 174
After the Fifth Reading from Isaiah 55 Isaiah 12: You Will Draw Water Joyfully (Curtis Stephan)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 178
After the Sixth Reading from Baruch Psalm 19: Lord, You Have the Words of Everlasting Life (Scot Crandal)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 180
After the Seventh Reading from Ezekiel (if there is a baptism) Psalm 42: Like a Deer that Longs for Running Streams (Timothy R. Smith)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 182
After the Seventh Reading (if there is no baptism) Psalm 52: Create a Clean Heart in Me (Sarah Hart)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 188
Immediately after this seventh Responsorial Psalm, the Glory to God is sung.
Common Psalm Option Psalm 136: God’s Love Is Everlasting (Ken Canedo)
Spirit & Song #96
Baptismal Liturgy Litany of the Saints (John Becker)
Breaking Bread #707
The Litany of the Saints has an entirely new official text with new responses. John Becker revised his beloved litany according to the mandate of the Roman Missal, Third Edition.
Rite of Sprinkling (After Renewal of Baptismal Promises) I Saw Water Flowing (Casey McKinley)
Breaking Bread #634
Casey McKinley’s new contemporary setting of the traditional Vidi Aquam has an uplifting Americana feel.
Confirmation Holy Spirit (Ken Canedo)
Spirit & Song #210; Never Too Young #233; Breaking Bread #199
A popular setting for teen Confirmations, the well-known refrain will allow the assembly to watch the liturgical action and support their candidates in song as their pastor confirms them.
Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts New Creation (Jackie Francois)
Spirit & Song #125; Breaking Bread #581
Jackie Francois’ stirring refrain is especially appropriate as we welcome new members into the Church: “From death to life: I no longer live, but Christ now lives in me.”
Easter Vigil Communion Antiphon Christ Our Passover Has Been Sacrificed (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart, Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #87
After an absence on Good Friday, the Antiphons are back! Tonight’s Communion Antiphon from 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 is a reflection on the saving Paschal event: “Christ our Passover has been sacrificed; therefore let us keep the feast with the unleavened bread of purity and truth. Alleluia”
Communion Chant Put On Christ (Bob Hurd)
Spirit & Song #127; Never Too Young #234
Bob Hurd’s stirring gospel-style anthem has become an Easter season favorite and is especially appropriate on this night when our OCIA friends have literally put on Christ through the waters of baptism.
Sending Forth Hallelujah Is Our Song (Sarah Hart, Sarah Kroger, Josh Blakesley and Trey Heffinger)
Breaking Bread #170
The dismissal of this liturgy and of the whole Triduum is now joyfully proclaimed by our priest or deacon: Go forth, the Mass is ended! Alleluia! Alleluia!
From all of us at OCP, Happy Easter!
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
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