Sacraments of Initiation
Part 3 The Rite for Adults and Children

Chapter i35 The Easter Vigil

Preliminary Questions

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Bibliography

This is the Night! A Parish Welcomes New Members. Probe the richness of the rites and symbols of the high point of the liturgical year: the Easter Vigil. Filmed during the Fifth Sunday of Lent and the Easter Vigil, this video shows the vitality of a parish that takes the intiation of Catholics as a serious part of the life of the parish. VHS 20 minuts. ISBN 0-929650-87-5. $39.95.

"Understanding the Sacraments." Catholic Update Video, V2000, $39.95. Order from St. Anthony Messenger Press; 1615 Republic Street; Cincinnati, OH 45210. 1-800-488-0488.

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Vigil

1. Vocabulary: Inscription, purification, godparent, illumination, presentation, rites, scrutinies, competence, elect, election, enlightenment, Order of the Faithful, immersion, infusion.

2. Passage from the Order of the Catechumens to the Order of the Faithful.

3. Vigil = night watch

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Structure and Elements

1. Gathering    Light, Easter Candle
2. Story Telling
3. Initiating  Receiving / Incorporating
    a.  Baptism -- Immersion Rite
        a1  BRK Water -- candle impregnate water
        a2  Faith -- formula -- form
        a3  immersion: I Baptize you...
        a4  garment -- put on Christ
        a5  candle -- light of Christ
   b.  Confirmation
4. Meal Sharing  Eucharist. The Climax of the Vigil
5. Commissioning

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History

1. Easter Vigil

2. Expansion to colder countries and Pentecost is added -- gives water 50 more days to warm up

3. All adults baptized (but not all catechized); need encouragement to bring their children. Original Sin provides that encouragement.

4. Original Sin teaching plus high infant mortality leads to "Quam primum" (as soon as possible). Godmother’s role replaces mother’s role.

5. Reformation: Adults / Believer Baptism.

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The Proper Time and Place for Baptism

Vatican II

• What = Death and Resurrection
• When = Sunday
• Sunday during Eucharist
• Especially at the Easter Vigil
• Sunday during Eucharist, but not Sundays during Lent
• Development:  Only on Baptismal Days (Vigil, Pentecost, Baptism of the Lord, All Saints = January, April, June, November - once each season of the year.)

   

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  To Think About

   

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  © Copyright: Tom Richstatter, Franciscan Province of St. John the Baptist, Cincinnati Ohio, Order of Friars Minor. All Rights Reserved.  This page was created by Fr. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M.  Every effort has been, and is being made, to acknowledge sources when the ideas are not my own.  Any failure to comply with the United States Copyright Act (Title 17, United States Code) will be corrected immediately should I become aware of it.  This site was updated on 08/26/07 .  Your comments on this site are welcome at webmaster2@tomrichstatter.org.