Pope Francis presides over the Easter vigil Holy mass on Saturday evening at St Peters Basilica Vatican City.
On Holy Saturday evening, the day leading up to Easter, Pope Francis presided over the Holy Mass held in the Vatican. The Holy Mass began in darkness with Pope blessing a new fire and also preparing Pascal’s candle. A candle that symbolizes “the light of Christ” which “shines in the darkness” that “has not overcome it “(John 1:5). Lightning of the Pascal candle with the flame from the blessed fire followed suit.
After the lightning of the Pascal candle, a procession of 40 cardinals, 25 bishops, and about 200 priests followed suit. Each carrying lit candles, signifying ‘Christ light of the world coming in to dispel the darkness of our heart’. While processing a cantor chanted the ‘lumen Christi’ meaning the light of Christ and in response, the church says thanks be to God.
Candles of about 8000 congregations also were lit from the Pascal candle light leading to the gradual illumination of the church. The church however was completely illuminated by the chant of Gloria accompanied by the chiming of the Basilica bell.
As mass proceed, Popes took the homily. Reflecting on the Gospel reading, The Pontiff urged the people of God to “roll away the stone of disappointment and mistrust”. while they “look with confidence to the future for Christ is risen and has Changed the direction of history”. He said, adding that people may “rediscover the grace of God’s resurrection within you”
8 catechumens were also baptized and confirmed at the mass. They include people from Albania, the United States, Nigeria, Italy, and Venezuela.