The Elephant in the Room
The Easter Vigil Part Two: Symbolism in the Celebration
Photo By: Flickr/Portal Um
Symbols stand for something else. They are used to teach something, or to remind us of something. The various elements of the Vigil Mass, indeed, any Mass are rich with symbolism. I've already discussed a few in the first part. There are several others. Two of the first things we should notice once the Liturgy starts is that the Gloria and the Alleluias are back. We didn't have them during the forty day dry desert experience of the Lenten season. Another is the ringing of bells. Bells make a joyful sound, and they are not used during Lent. In some local churches we not only hear bells during the Consecration, but also they may be rung during the singing of the Gloria. Liturgical colors are also symbolic, in the Easter Season they are white, the color of resurrection.
There are some other, minor symbols during the Mass, but in my opinion, the most powerful symbol is demonstrated only during the Vigil: The blessing of the Baptismal Font.
In Part One, I explained that the Paschal, or Easter Candle represents Christ. The Church is the Bride of Christ. The Font is the womb of the Church. During the prayers of blessing for the Font, the Paschal Candle is plunged into the water of the Font three times. This represents Christ, the Bridegroom fertilizing the Womb of the Church. And just as any fertile womb is created to do, children come forth. In this case, the children are those who were just baptized at the Vigil Celebration. It is left for the parents, godparents, and us, the sisters and brothers of Christ to nurture ahose newly re-born into Christ, helping them to grow in faith, and to become ever closer to Jesus.The blessing ceremony is obviously and deliberately phallic, teaching a powerful lesson about the importance of being born again as Scripture says, in water and the Spirit.
I hope that each of you who have read these two essays on the Vigil Mass will be able to attend this year. Notice the symbols, history, and lessons the Church teaches us at this, the highest, most Holy Celebration of the Liturgical Year. And with great joy at what you have witnessed, may you repeat with sincere feeling that ancient Easter Greeting of the Church:
"Christ is risen, Alleluia!" And the response: He is risen, indeed, Alleluia!"
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About the Author
I live in Lubbock, Texas and have been married for 47 years and counting. We have 5 children, 6 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, and 1 due soon. I served 4 years in the Air Force as a Medical Service Specialist during the Vietnam conflict and served 14 months at USAF Hospital, Clark AFB, Phillipines, taking care of Marines and Republic of Korea soldiers who were wounded in Vietnam. I completed undergraduate studies at University of Houston and obtained a Bachelor's Degree from Midwestern State University, graduated cum laude. Following that, I did post-graduate studies at Texas Tech University and Loyola Institute of Ministry,Extension Program. i am a Retired Educator,and have taught History and English at the secondary level. I am also a Retired Permanent Deacon, and for several years I wrote a Q&A column for a diocesan newspaper about the Catholic faith. In addition, I taught Church History for a diocesan Diaconate Formation Program and was director of the RCIA program in my parish for several years.
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