Top photo: Bishop O’Connell addresses the men and women who were to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil in St. Ann Church, Lawrenceville, April 4. Mike Ehrmann photo
“The Lord Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. That is what we celebrate tonight,” Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., said to the parishioners of St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, where he celebrated the Easter Vigil April 4.
Photo Gallery: Easter Vigil in St. Ann, Lawrenceville
“There is no more significant human expression than faith in Jesus’ Resurrection. He didn’t just die and come back to life. He was not revived or resuscitated. Jesus’ Resurrection is about new life, transformed life, a completely different order of existence. The tomb is empty. This is about glory and triumph.”
The Vigil – the high point of the Church’s liturgical year – began outdoors, where the Easter fire was blessed and the Paschal candle was lit. The Paschal candle was then carried in procession into the darkened church. Its flame was used to light the taper candles the congregants held.
During the Mass, 3 elect in the parish’s Order of Christian Initiation of Adults were fully initiated into the Church, receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Also, there were OCIA candidates who completed their Sacraments of Initiation, receiving Confirmation and First Eucharist.
“Easter is that moment in the history of the world when the world was changed forever, changed by an obscure Jesus of Nazareth who lived and died but who rose to new life,” Bishop O’Connell said. “Happy Easter!”
Check back on TrentonMonitor.com for continued story and photo coverage on the celebration of the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night.
