Easter Liturgies

The Paschal candle, painted by Br Thomas Skeats OP, the sacristan.

The Easter fire is prepared in the garden by Fr Denis Minns OP and it is blessed:
“Father, we share in the light of your glory through your Son, the light of the world…”
The blessed fire is then used to light the Paschal candle.

The priory church is filled with the new light of Easter lit from the Paschal candle. In the words of the Exsultet, it is “a flame divided but undimmed, a pillar of fire that glows to the honour of God”.

Br Robert Mehlhart OP led the schola of friars in singing some of the psalms during the Vigil and also conducted the volunteer choir. At the Vigil, the ‘Blackfriars Mass’ by Br Bruno Clifton OP was sung for the first time, as well as Palestrina’s Sicut cervus and pieces of traditional chant.

The Paschal candle burns from Easter until Pentecost, a symbol of the risen Christ.

Solemn Vespers was sung on Easter Sunday and during the Magnificat, the High Altar and the people are incensed.

Sunlight floods the east window during Vespers. This natural light too reminds us of Christ. As the Exsultet says: “He is that morning star that knows no setting, Jesus Christ your Son who came back from the dead to shed his clear light on all humankind”.

We wish all our Godzdogz readers a happy and blessed Easter!