Liturgical Moment of the Week: The Great Vigil is Coming

By Fr. Brian+

I’ve never been as surprised in church as I was that April Saturday night in 2022. The setting was the Cathedral Church of St. Luke in Orlando, our diocesan cathedral.

It was Easter weekend, the end of Holy Week, and Resurrection Day was upon us. I have always enjoyed Easter Sunday. It is usually a joyous day for me, celebrating the resurrection of my Savior who gave his life for me, and to me.

It had been a particularly meaningful Lent and Holy Week for me. Everyone at church had been talking about the upcoming Saturday night service called the Great Vigil. I had no idea what it was and I was taken totally by surprise.

The Great Vigil turns the church from Lent to Easter by Christ’s Passover from death to life and the moments of the service demonstrate it. We start with the lighting and procession of the Paschal Candle, referencing Jesus’ resurrection as light in the darkness. Depending on the church, other parts of the service highlight light and life including baptism, renewal of the Baptismal Covenant, and the singing of the Te Deum. Of course, Word and Sacrament imbibe the service throughout with God’s thoughts and actions.

And then…a ram’s horn is blown from the choir loft - for 90 seconds. The rector stands at the altar and chants that word which had not been spoken all season. 

“Alleluia, Christ is risen.”

The people sing back, “The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia.”

Then, silence.

Then, a clap of the hand, a clang of the symbol, and all bedlam breaks loose. Everyone in the church and on the altar pulls out a noise maker: cow bells, tambourines, triangles, pots and pans with ladles and spoons, drums. Anything you could think of.

This was the moment every little boy suffering through church was meant for, has dreamed of. Hundreds of people rejoicing with rudimentary instruments, orchestral instruments, clapping hands, shouting voices, organ playing, banners processing and flying all around the sanctuary. People are smiling, jumping up and down, shouting. Church people! In church!!! For three minutes, y’all.

This went on for three minutes.

Even my grumpy co-worker, whom I had invited to the service, somehow found a bell and was ringing it vigorously with a smile on his face.

I couldn’t believe it. Dona and I were in shock. These brothers and sisters were genuinely excited that Jesus had risen from the dead.

I don’t know what might break loose at our Vigil this year. It might be a bit more subdued than the Cathedral, but I hope we break some noise ordinance.

Our Easter Vigil will be Sunday morning, Easter morning, April 20 at 6:30 AM. Please come to celebrate the risen Lord and your new life in Christ. Bring something that makes a loud noise. Bring your heart and your outside voice to celebrate Jesus’ victory.

I’ve got my big bells ready and I might need to wear my gym shoes to get a little elevation.