A holy moment worth experiencing
Dark. Confusing. Lots of questions, not so many answers. Perhaps very similar to how the disciples felt all those years ago.
Then, from a great fire, a single candle is lit and from the candle – that one guiding light – all the other candles receive their flame. Those flames then follow the one guiding light into the church as the truth, much like how the disciples followed the Truth in their own time.
Thus begins the Easter Vigil, our most holy night of the liturgical year.
As a Catholic, I highly recommend attending an Easter Vigil Mass during your lifetime. Yes, the Mass is longer; yes, it is at night; and yes, you will probably be tired when you return home.
What I will promise you, however, is that after experiencing an Easter Vigil Mass, your heart will be full of joy, love, wonder and awe. If you have already experienced an Easter Vigil Mass, you know what I’m talking about. If you have yet to experience one, put it on your calendar for next year. It will be something you will not regret.
Olive Page was one of three people baptized by Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio, pastor, during the Easter Vigil Mass.This year, my family and I attended the Easter Vigil Mass at our parish, St. Pius X Church in Greensboro. At the beginning of the liturgy, we heard a variety of readings that reminded us of the creation, providence and love that God has for us, with only our candles lighting the church. For the first time since before Lent, we sang the Gloria as the church lights came on and all candles throughout the church were lit.
It was a moving moment, to say the least.
After the homily, we had the privilege of witnessing three of God’s children get baptized – Grant Holmes, Alta Potter and Olive Page. Having those three people – a man, a woman and a child – baptized on this night was more than symbolic. It was an example of His full representation of love as well as His perfect plan.
In total, 19 people were welcomed into our faith this year at St. Pius X Parish, including the father of the infant who was baptized. Watching them all receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ for the first time, while praying for each of them as a family of faith, is truly seeing first-hand His Kingdom being built on Earth.
People enter St. Pius X Church in Greensboro for the Easter Vigil Mass, carrying candles signifying the Light of Christ. (Photos provided by MaryAnn Luedtke)If you’ve never been to an Easter Vigil Mass, I urge you again to attend one next year. If it’s been a while since you’ve attended one, consider experiencing it once more. The beauty of this is that it happens every year, at every Catholic church in the world. The churches may be different, certainly, but the wonder of this holy moment remains the same – much like it did with the disciples so many years ago.
Follow the truth and let His light guide us. For He is risen, alleluia, alleluia!
Ryan Murray is a member of St. Pius X Church in Greensboro and lives in Greensboro with his wife Janel and two sons, Emerson and Brayden. Email him with any thoughts at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..