The Easter Vigil begins in darkness. The priest lights the Paschal Candle, and the new fire enters the world. The fire is passed on through the assembled gathering, which sings and prays by candlelight, just as their predecessors did for nearly 2,000 years.
Tonight a little girl is baptized. The assembly welcomes its newest member, and there is rejoicing on earth and in heaven, the scriptures say.
"Hallelujah." The people say the word that has not been spoken since Lent began. Bells begin ringing on a cold Saturday night, and the darkness is not as foreboding. © 2013 Stephen Yuen
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