The Wonders of Singing and Swaying the Exultet!: What A Joyful Easter Celebration!

Parishioners gather around the Easter Vigil fire at the San Antonio de Padua Parish Church last night, which lasted for almost four hours, from 8pm until 11 past.

Apart from the equally meaningful segments of the Vigil — the blessing of the fire with parishioners gathered in the churchyard, the embedding of studs or nails into the Paschal candle, the procession of clergy and parishioners into the dimly lit church, the series of scriptural readings that made up much of the nearly four-hour celebration, the solemn rites including the Baptism and Confirmation of the Catechumens (those who completed the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), and the renewal of Baptismal vows by the faithful — not to mention the Holy Mass proper with the triumphant singing of the great Alleluia — we were especially moved by what transpired during the chanting of the Exultet.

That wonderful moment, shared by both clergy and congregation (young and old alike), stood out as deeply stirring. It was a sight to behold. Everyone looked immaculately pure donned in their white attire, swayed with joy as they sang the Exultet, and while holding their lighted candles likewise seeming to dance as they praised and thanked God. The proactive parish priest, Fr. Kevin, led the singing of the Exultet with wholehearted joy, his excitement and passion evident in every note. Each of these elements contributes to a ceremony of immense significance — a profound symbol of the Church’s annual spiritual renewal. As Catholic Christians, it reaffirms our commitment to Christ and our shared journey.

Exultet, based on accounts, is a key part of the Easter Vigil liturgy within the Roman Catholic Church. It is a lengthy hymn of praise and thanksgiving, sung after the Paschal candle is lit, symbolizing Christ as the Light of the World. The hymn is a proclamation of God’s saving power, the redemption offered through Christ, and the joy of Easter.

But the singing of the Exultet was quite extraordinary, compared with how other parishes conduct it. The sight of parishioners’ candles being gradually lit, sourced from the flame of the imposing Paschal candle, was truly awe-inspiring. It felt as though everyone was granted a fresh opportunity to radiate and rediscover their inner beauty amidst the darkness.

Indeed, the Exultet is such a rich and beautiful piece of the Church’s liturgy. It’s the ancient hymn of praise sung during the Easter Vigil, right after the Paschal candle is lit and brought into the dark church — symbolizing Christ’s light breaking into the world. May this Easter Proclamation, particularly in this Jubilee Year of Hope, serve a genuine expression of Easter hope and joy.

To Everyone, a happy and meaningful Easter Season.

Wow, what a bunch of Easer treat for us! Thank you to our thoughtful and kind-hearted AteSister, LenT for this. God bless you more. But where’s the Easter Egg? *smiley emoj*

Below is the Exultet or Exsultet culled out from the website of USCCB. Thanks a lot. ctto

.The Exsultet
Exult, let them exult, the hosts of heaven,
exult, let Angel ministers of God exult,
let the trumpet of salvation
sound aloud our mighty King’s triumph!

Be glad, let earth be glad, as glory floods her,
ablaze with light from her eternal King,
let all corners of the earth be glad,
knowing an end to gloom and darkness.

Rejoice, let Mother Church also rejoice,
arrayed with the lightning of his glory,
let this holy building shake with joy,
filled with the mighty voices of the peoples.

(Therefore, dearest friends,
standing in the awesome glory of this holy light,
invoke with me, I ask you,
the mercy of God almighty,
that he, who has been pleased to number me,
though unworthy, among the Levites,
may pour into me his light unshadowed,
that I may sing this candle’s perfect praises.)

(V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.)
V. Lift up your hearts.
R. We lift them up to the Lord.
V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
R. It is right and just.

It is truly right and just, with ardent love of mind and heart
and with devoted service of our voice,
to acclaim our God invisible, the almighty Father,
and Jesus Christ, our Lord, his Son, his Only Begotten.

Who for our sake paid Adam’s debt to the eternal Father,
and, pouring out his own dear Blood,
wiped clean the record of our ancient sinfulness.

These, then, are the feasts of Passover,
in which is slain the Lamb, the one true Lamb,
whose Blood anoints the doorposts of believers.

This is the night,
when once you led our forebears, Israel’s children,
from slavery in Egypt
and made them pass dry-shod through the Red Sea.

This is the night
that with a pillar of fire
banished the darkness of sin.

This is the night
that even now, throughout the world,
sets Christian believers apart from worldly vices
and from the gloom of sin,
leading them to grace
and joining them to his holy ones.

This is the night,
when Christ broke the prison-bars of death
and rose victorious from the underworld.

Our birth would have been no gain,
had we not been redeemed.

O wonder of your humble care for us!
O love, O charity beyond all telling,
to ransom a slave you gave away your Son!
O truly necessary sin of Adam,
destroyed completely by the Death of Christ!
O happy fault
that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer!

O truly blessed night,
worthy alone to know the time and hour
when Christ rose from the underworld!

This is the night
of which it is written:
The night shall be as bright as day,
dazzling is the night for me,
and full of gladness.

The sanctifying power of this night
dispels wickedness, washes faults away,
restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to mourners,
drives out hatred, fosters concord, and brings down the mighty.
On this, your night of grace, O holy Father,
accept this candle, a solemn offering,
the work of bees and of your servants’ hands,
an evening sacrifice of praise,
this gift from your most holy Church.

But now we know the praises of this pillar,
which glowing fire ignites for God’s honor,
a fire into many flames divided,
yet never dimmed by sharing of its light,
for it is fed by melting wax,
drawn out by mother bees
to build a torch so precious.

O truly blessed night,
when things of heaven are wed to those of earth,
and divine to the human.

Therefore, O Lord,
we pray you that this candle,
hallowed to the honor of your name,
may persevere undimmed,
to overcome the darkness of this night.

Receive it as a pleasing fragrance,
and let it mingle with the lights of heaven.

May this flame be found still burning
by the Morning Star:
the one Morning Star who never sets,
Christ your Son,
who, coming back from death’s domain,
has shed his peaceful light on humanity,
and lives and reigns for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

Excerpt from the English translation of the Roman Missal
© 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved