He is risen, He is risen indeed!
Last night the Sisters ended the service with a gorgeous, tear-jerking rendition of Handel's Messiah. I always tear up when they sing, "The Kingdom of this world is become the Kingdom of our God and of His Christ, and of His Christ! And He shall reign forever and ever!" Hallelujah!
We went to the Easter Vigil at the convent. Marc was blessed to altar serve. In the Catholic Church on Good Friday all the Holy water is put away, the tabernacle is empty, the lights are off- it is so somber and solemn. On the evening of Holy Saturday the churches light a fire outside with which they light the Pascal Candle- the candle that represents Christ. From that candle all of our candles are lit- spreading the light of Christ. This website explains-
On Easter, the Paschal Candle is lit from fire blessed in the Easter Vigil ritual known as "The Blessing of the New Fire." This candle is inscribed with a cross, an alpha and omega, and the numbers designating the current year. Five grains of incense are inserted into the candle's cross, symbolizing the Five Wounds of Christ. The pattern of the inscription looks like this:
Then, after the candle is lit in the new fire, it is carried into the darkened Church, showing us how the risen Christ is the source of all light and hope. It remains near the Altar throughout the days of Easter, until Ascension Thursday. Thereafter, it is lit only for Baptisms and funerals, showing us the link between His Resurrection and our hope for eternal life through death to sin in Baptism, and resurrection after physical death. The small Baptismal candles given to new Catholics, who are generally received at Easter time, are lit from this Paschal candle symbol of Christ's Body, Soul, and Divinity, lit from the new fire, on the day of His resurrection. These Baptismal candles should be kept and used, if possible, in one's wedding, Unction, and funeral.
There is a beautiful legend about St. Patrick going to Ireland and the druids having a rule that no one could light a fire on the night of a certain pagan festival. It happened to be Easter vigil and St. Patrick lit his fire on the tall hill and infuriated the pagans, but of course, it was the beginning of the conversion of Ireland to Christianity!
Poor Charliebear was totally worn out and fell asleep in my arms!
We came home and got everyone in bed and then I set to work putting out all our Easter décor and baskets.
We made a happy little book display.
Per our tradition we made cross-shaped monkey bread for breakfast. :)
And we made our empty tomb rolls. This year I didn't have crescent rolls so we used biscuits.
This afternoon we went to BB and Poppy's house. Ever since they've lived here we've come for an Easter egg hunt so everyone was excited. When we got there the children wanted to fish right away. Julia's friend and her mother (my friend) came with us.
After fishing it was boat riding time!
Paddleboat selfie. :)
BB made us a delicious homemade lasagna supper-
Then it was Easter Egg hunt time! This was so much fun!
Thank you BB and Poppy for such a fun day- you sure know how to take care of people!
Happy Easter!
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