Easter fire fans flames of evangelization

Friday, Apr. 01, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY — The annual Easter vigil is the first official celebration of the resurrection of Jesus in the Catholic Church’s calendar.

On March 26 the Cathedral of the Madeleine Parish started the celebration with the lighting of the Easter fire and the Paschal candle, which will be used throughout the season of Easter and throughout the coming year at Masses, at baptisms and at funerals, reminding all that Christ is “light and life,” said Father Martin Diaz, pastor of the Cathedral of the Madeleine.

After the fire was lit in the courtyard, the rite of Lecernarium, in which the lighted Paschal candle was carried around the outside of the Cathedral and then inside in total darkness, making three stops. 

At each stop, the acclamation “Light of Christ” was chanted, to which the congregation responded, “Thanks be to God.” 

As the procession made its way into the cathedral, people with unlit candles waited in total darkness. The candles then were lit with a flame from the Pascal candle that was passed from wick to wick.

The Liturgy of the Word was proclaimed, consisting of seven readings from the Old Testament.

Afterward, the water of the baptismal font was blessed and the catechumens and candidates for full communion were initiated into the Catholic Church.

The same rite was celebrated in parishes all over the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City. Among those confirmed at the Easter Vigil ceremony at his home parish was Oscar de Anda of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

De Anda was motivated to continue his formal education in the Catholic Church because of his upcoming wedding, which will be in August.

“I thought to myself, ‘How am I going to get married if I haven’t been confirmed?’” said de Anda, who started attending RCIA classes at his parish last year.

The RCIA program also helped him understand better the Catholic faith; although he is a cradle Catholic he did not practice his faith before.

“Now I am more active. I feel my religion more and I am very proud that I can take this step,” said de Anda.

Other adults who have not completed all the rites of the Catholic Church should not be afraid, but should go back to them, he said. “It is not a waste of time. Our Church is wonderful. God’s love, patience and care for us is really unlimited. … It’s really something wonderful,” said de Anda with a lot of joy in his eyes.

Another Our Lady of Guadalupe parishioner, Ivan Padilla, is a member of the young adults group who received his First Communion at the vigil.

“I’ve got to help my parents and to be an example to my brothers and sisters,” said Padilla. “It’s good to get closer to God to be able to be a better Catholic; it is really an exciting time.” 

“Sometimes taking the next step is wonderful,” agreed Nayelli Ramirez, who also was confirmed at the Easter Vigil. “I want to let other young people know how beautiful it is to get closer to God. … Now I want to help others to get to know our Church better.”