Christ, be our light!
During the Easter vigil liturgy, one of my favorite portions is the Service of Light. The liturgy begins outside after sunset with the lighting of the Paschal candle. The priest (and deacon, if present), followed by the faithful, process into the dark church, and all the individual candles are lit from the one Paschal candle, which symbolizes the risen Christ as the Light of the World. Gradually, the church becomes lit with the flames of the faithfuls’ candles and the Exsultet — a 1200-plus year old Easter hymn — is solemnly proclaimed.
During the Easter vigil liturgy, one of my favorite portions is the Service of Light. The liturgy begins outside after sunset with the lighting of the Paschal candle. The priest (and deacon, if present), followed by the faithful, process into the dark church, and all the individual candles are lit from the one Paschal candle, which symbolizes the risen Christ as the Light of the World. Gradually, the church becomes lit with the flames of the faithfuls’ candles and the Exsultet — a 1200-plus year old Easter hymn — is solemnly proclaimed.
As with all Catholic liturgies, the Easter Vigil is packed with layers and symbolism. As I was praying about this issue’s editorial, this scene is what came to mind. Walking in faith and trying to follow God’s will has periods where it feels like walking in darkness, hoping and trusting that there will be a light as well as moments where light floods into our hearts.
This month’s cover story features the Sisters of Our Mother of Divine Grace, who left their previous order after discovering they were not in communion with Rome. With an incredible leap of faith, they left their previous lives to follow God’s will into the unknown. You’ll also meet John Kehrer, who brings the Light of Christ to the sick as he ministers in nursing homes and hospitals, and also learn about college students who are following God’s path to join the Catholic Church this Easter Vigil.
Please join me in praying for all those who are on a journey to the Light of Christ.
Thank you for reading Great Lakes Bay Catholic.
To Jesus through Mary,
Danielle
Danielle McGrew Tenbusch serves as editor of Great Lakes Bay Catholic magazine and is the marketing and admissions coordinator for the Office of Catholic Schools.