Image by skambalu via FlickrEASTER VIGIL
I. -- The Blessing of the New Fire
1. At the appointed hour, the altar is prepared, but candles are not lit until the beginning of Mass. Meanwhile, fire is struck from a flint, and coals are enkindled from it. 2. The celebrant vests in amice, alb, cincture, stole, and violet cope the chasuble is not substituted ; the sacred ministers vest in amice, alb, and cincture. The deacon vests in stole and dalmatic, the subdeacon vests in tunic of the same color. 3. The ministers and servers with processional cross, holy water, and incense proceed to the doors, whether outside or in the entry to the church, whichever allows the greatest number of people to follow the Sacred Rites. The celebrant then blesses the new fire, saying in Ferial Tone B or in the ancient simple tone with hands joined:
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray O God, Who hast bestowed on the faithful the fire of Thy brightness by Thy Son, Who is the Cornerstone, hallow this new fire produced from a flint that it may be profitable to us: and grant that during this Paschal festival we may be so inflamed with heavenly desires, that with pure minds we may come to the solemnity of perpetual light. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
Then he sprinkles the fire thrice, in silence. 4. An acolyte or one of the ministers takes a blessed coal and places it in the thurible; the celebrant then puts incense in the thurible, blessing it as usual, then he incenses the fire thrice.
1. At the appointed hour, the altar is prepared, but candles are not lit until the beginning of Mass. Meanwhile, fire is struck from a flint, and coals are enkindled from it. 2. The celebrant vests in amice, alb, cincture, stole, and violet cope the chasuble is not substituted ; the sacred ministers vest in amice, alb, and cincture. The deacon vests in stole and dalmatic, the subdeacon vests in tunic of the same color. 3. The ministers and servers with processional cross, holy water, and incense proceed to the doors, whether outside or in the entry to the church, whichever allows the greatest number of people to follow the Sacred Rites. The celebrant then blesses the new fire, saying in Ferial Tone B or in the ancient simple tone with hands joined:
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray O God, Who hast bestowed on the faithful the fire of Thy brightness by Thy Son, Who is the Cornerstone, hallow this new fire produced from a flint that it may be profitable to us: and grant that during this Paschal festival we may be so inflamed with heavenly desires, that with pure minds we may come to the solemnity of perpetual light. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
Then he sprinkles the fire thrice, in silence. 4. An acolyte or one of the ministers takes a blessed coal and places it in the thurible; the celebrant then puts incense in the thurible, blessing it as usual, then he incenses the fire thrice.
II. The Blessing of the Paschal Candle
5. An acolyte or one of the ministers carries the paschal candle to the blessed new fire and stands in front of the celebrant, who inscribes a cross between the openings into which grains of incense will be placed. Above the cross, he inscribes the Greek letter Alpha, and under the cross, he inscribes the Greek letter Omega. Between the arms of the cross, he inscribes the four numbers of the current year, while saying in an audible voice:
Christ yesterday and today
The Beginning and End
Alpha
and Omega.
His are the times
and the ages.
To Him be glory and empire
through all eternal ages.
6. With the incision of the cross and other symbols done, the deacon or another minister presents five grains of incense to the celebrant. If the grains have not been previously blessed, the celebrant sprinkles them thrice with holy water, and incenses them thrice, in silence. Then he inserts the five grains into their openings, while saying audibly:
Through His holy
and glorious wounds
may Christ the Lord
preserve
and keep us. Amen.
7. Then the deacon or another minister offers the celebrant a taper, lit from the new fire. The celebrant lights the Paschal candle and says audibly:
May the light of Christ, gloriously risen Dispel the darkness of the heart and mind.
8. The celebrant quickly lights the Paschal candle and sings in Ferial Tone B or the simple ancient tone with hands joined:
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray May the abundant outpouring of Thy
blessing, we beseech Thee, almighty God, descend upon this incense: and do Thou, O invisible Regenerator, lighten this nocturnal brightness, that not only the sacrifice that is offered this night may shine by the secret mixture of Thy light: but also into whatever place anything of this mysterious sanctification shall be brought, there the power of Thy Majesty may be present and all the malicious artifices of Satan may be defeated. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
9. Meanwhile, all the lights in the church are put out. The clerics and people are given candles, which will be carried in procession and lit from the Paschal candle.
5. An acolyte or one of the ministers carries the paschal candle to the blessed new fire and stands in front of the celebrant, who inscribes a cross between the openings into which grains of incense will be placed. Above the cross, he inscribes the Greek letter Alpha, and under the cross, he inscribes the Greek letter Omega. Between the arms of the cross, he inscribes the four numbers of the current year, while saying in an audible voice:
Christ yesterday and today
The Beginning and End
Alpha
and Omega.
His are the times
and the ages.
To Him be glory and empire
through all eternal ages.
6. With the incision of the cross and other symbols done, the deacon or another minister presents five grains of incense to the celebrant. If the grains have not been previously blessed, the celebrant sprinkles them thrice with holy water, and incenses them thrice, in silence. Then he inserts the five grains into their openings, while saying audibly:
Through His holy
and glorious wounds
may Christ the Lord
preserve
and keep us. Amen.
7. Then the deacon or another minister offers the celebrant a taper, lit from the new fire. The celebrant lights the Paschal candle and says audibly:
May the light of Christ, gloriously risen Dispel the darkness of the heart and mind.
8. The celebrant quickly lights the Paschal candle and sings in Ferial Tone B or the simple ancient tone with hands joined:
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray May the abundant outpouring of Thy
blessing, we beseech Thee, almighty God, descend upon this incense: and do Thou, O invisible Regenerator, lighten this nocturnal brightness, that not only the sacrifice that is offered this night may shine by the secret mixture of Thy light: but also into whatever place anything of this mysterious sanctification shall be brought, there the power of Thy Majesty may be present and all the malicious artifices of Satan may be defeated. Through Christ our Lord.R. Amen.
9. Meanwhile, all the lights in the church are put out. The clerics and people are given candles, which will be carried in procession and lit from the Paschal candle.
III. The Procession with the Paschal Candle
10. The celebrant again puts incense into the thurible; after which the deacon, having laid aside his violet vestments, puts on a white stole and dalmatic, takes the Paschal candle. The procession is made in the following order: thurifer, subdeacon with cross, deacon with lit Paschal candle, celebrant, clerics according to their rank and precedence, then the people. If there is no deacon, the following simple rite may be used: the priest, having laid aside his violet vestments, puts on a white stole and dalmatic. He again puts incense into the thurible and takes the Paschal candle. The procession is made in the following order: thurifer, crucifer, priest with lit Paschal candle, the other servers, then the people. 11. When the deacon or celebrant comes to the threshold of the Church, he stands and sings alone:
V. The light of Christ.
at which everyone else, except the subdeacon or crucifer and thurifer,
genuflects toward the Paschal candle, singing in response:
R. Thanks be to God.
All rise, and the celebrant or a server representing him lights his candle from the Paschal candle. The procession proceeds to the middle of the church, where the deacon or celebrant sings in the same mode on a higher pitch:
V. The light of Christ.
at which everyone, as before, genuflects and responds:
R. Thanks be to God.
The the other clerics or servers light their candles from the Paschal candle. The procession continues to the front of the altar, in the middle of the sanctuary, and again the verse is sung on a higher pitch:
V. The light of Christ.
and a third time, everyone, as before, genuflects and responds:
R. Thanks be to God.
The people's candles are lit from the Paschal candle, which light up the church.
10. The celebrant again puts incense into the thurible; after which the deacon, having laid aside his violet vestments, puts on a white stole and dalmatic, takes the Paschal candle. The procession is made in the following order: thurifer, subdeacon with cross, deacon with lit Paschal candle, celebrant, clerics according to their rank and precedence, then the people. If there is no deacon, the following simple rite may be used: the priest, having laid aside his violet vestments, puts on a white stole and dalmatic. He again puts incense into the thurible and takes the Paschal candle. The procession is made in the following order: thurifer, crucifer, priest with lit Paschal candle, the other servers, then the people. 11. When the deacon or celebrant comes to the threshold of the Church, he stands and sings alone:
V. The light of Christ.
at which everyone else, except the subdeacon or crucifer and thurifer,
genuflects toward the Paschal candle, singing in response:
R. Thanks be to God.
All rise, and the celebrant or a server representing him lights his candle from the Paschal candle. The procession proceeds to the middle of the church, where the deacon or celebrant sings in the same mode on a higher pitch:
V. The light of Christ.
at which everyone, as before, genuflects and responds:
R. Thanks be to God.
The the other clerics or servers light their candles from the Paschal candle. The procession continues to the front of the altar, in the middle of the sanctuary, and again the verse is sung on a higher pitch:
V. The light of Christ.
and a third time, everyone, as before, genuflects and responds:
R. Thanks be to God.
The people's candles are lit from the Paschal candle, which light up the church.
IV. -- The Singing of the Paschal Proclamation
12. After a reverence has been made toward the altar, the thurifer stands near the credence; and the subdeacon with the processional cross stands on the Gospel side in front of the lectern, facing it for the singing of the Paschal proclamation. The celebrant goes to his place in the sanctuary, on the epistle side; and the clerics take their places on benches or stools. The deacon places the Paschal candle in a small supporting base in the middle of the choir, and, after the celebrant has placed incense in the thurible, receives the book and asks for the blessing, as usual. If there is no deacon, the following simple rite may be used: the thurifer stands next to the credence in the sanctuary, the crucifer stands on the Gospel side in front of the lectern, facing it. The celebrant places the Paschal candle in its supporting base in the middle of the sanctuary and goes to the sedilia; the other servers go to their usual places. After placing incense into the thurible, the celebrant receives the book from the master of ceremonies. The celebrant genuflects on the bottom step of the footpace, on the epistle side, and says in a low voice:
O Lord, give me Thy blessing.
May the Lord be on my heart and on my lips, that I mayest worthily and fittingly proclaim His Paschal praise.
13. After this, the deacon or celebrant goes to the lectern, which is completely covered with a white drape. He places the book on the lecturn and incenses it; then he circles the Paschal candle, incensing it. Then all rise and remain standing, as they usually do when the Gospel is proclaimed at Mass, while the deacon sings or the celebrant sings or reads the Paschal proclamation, having before him the Paschal candle and the processional cross, toward the left liturgical north side of the church. All hold lit candles in their hands until the end of the Paschal proclamation.
Let the angelic choirs of Heaven now rejoice; let the divine Mysteries rejoice; and let the trumpet of salvation sound forth the victory of so great a King. Let the earth also rejoice, made radiant by such splendor; and, enlightened with the brightness of the eternal King, let it know that the darkness of the whole world is scattered. Let our mother the Church also rejoice, adorned with the brightness of so great a light; and let this temple resound with the loud acclamations of the people. Wherefore I beseech you, most beloved brethren, who are here present in the wondrous brightness of this holy light, to invoke wtih me the mercy of almighty God. That He who has vouchsafed to admit me among the Levites, without any merits of mine, would pour forth the brightness of His light upon me, and enable me to perfect the praise of this wax candle. Through our Lord Jesus Christ His Son, Who with Him and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth one God for ever and ever. R. Amen.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
V. Lift up thy hearts.
R. We have them lifted up to the Lord.
V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God..
R. It is meet and just.
It is truly meet and right to proclaim with all our heart and all the affection of our mind, and with the ministry of our voices, the invisible God, the Father almighty, and His only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ, who repaid for us to His eternal Father the debt of Adam, and by the merciful shedding of His Blood, cancelled the debt incurred by original sin. For this is the Paschal Festival; in which that true Lamb is slain, with Whose Blood the doorposts of the faithful are consecrated.
This is the night in which Thou didst formerly cause our forefathers, the children of Israel, when brought out of Egypt, to pass through the Red Sea with dry foot. This, therefore, is the night which dissipated the darkness of sinners by the light of the pillar. This is the night which at this time throughout the world restores to grace and unites in sanctity those that believe in Christ, and are separated from the vices of the world and the darkness of sinners. This is the night in which, destroying the chains of death, Christ arose victorious from the grave. For it would have profited us nothing to have been born, unless redemption had also been bestowed upon us. O wondrous condescension of Thy mercy towards us! O inestimable affection of love: that Thou mightest redeem a slave, Thou didst deliver up Thy Son! O truly needful sin of Adam, which was blotted out by the death of Christ!
O happy fault, that merited to possess such and so great a Redeemer! O truly blessed night, which alone deserved to know the time and hour when Christ rose again from hell! This is the night of which it is written: And the night shall be as clear as the day; and the night is my light in my delights. Therefore the hallowing of this night puts to flight all wickedness, cleanses sins, and restores innocence to the fallen, and gladness to the sorrowful. It drives forth hatreds, it prepares concord, and brings down haughtiness. Wherefore, in this sacred night, receive, O holy Father, the evening sacrifice of this incense, which holy Church renders to Thee by the hands of Thy ministers in the solemn offering of this wax candle, made out the work of bees. Now also we know the praises of this pillar, which the shining fire enkindles to the honor of God. Which fire, although divided into parts, suffers no loss from its light being borrowed. For it is nourished by the melting wax, which the mother bee produced for the substance of this precious light. O truly blessed night, which plundered the Egyptians and enriched the Hebrews! A night in which heavenly things are united to those of earth, and things divine to those which are of man. We beseech Thee, therefore, O Lord, that this wax candle hallowed in honor of Thy Name, may continue to burn to dissipate the darkness of this night. And being accepted as a sweet savor, may be united with the heavenly lights. Let the morning star find its flame alight. That star, I mean, which knows no setting. He Who returning from hell, serenely shone forth upon mankind. We beseech Thee therefore, O Lord, that Thou wouldst grant peaceful times during this Paschal Festival, and vouchsafe to rule, govern, and keep with Thy constant protection us Thy servants, and all the clergy, and the devout people, together with our most holy Father, Pope N...., and our Bishop N.... Have regard, also, for those who reign over us, and, grant them Thine ineffable kindness and mercy, direct their thoughts in justice and peace, that from their earthy toil, they may come to their heavenly reward with all Thy people. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God: World without end. R. Amen.
After the Paschal proclamation is completed, all extinguish their candles and are seated.
12. After a reverence has been made toward the altar, the thurifer stands near the credence; and the subdeacon with the processional cross stands on the Gospel side in front of the lectern, facing it for the singing of the Paschal proclamation. The celebrant goes to his place in the sanctuary, on the epistle side; and the clerics take their places on benches or stools. The deacon places the Paschal candle in a small supporting base in the middle of the choir, and, after the celebrant has placed incense in the thurible, receives the book and asks for the blessing, as usual. If there is no deacon, the following simple rite may be used: the thurifer stands next to the credence in the sanctuary, the crucifer stands on the Gospel side in front of the lectern, facing it. The celebrant places the Paschal candle in its supporting base in the middle of the sanctuary and goes to the sedilia; the other servers go to their usual places. After placing incense into the thurible, the celebrant receives the book from the master of ceremonies. The celebrant genuflects on the bottom step of the footpace, on the epistle side, and says in a low voice:
O Lord, give me Thy blessing.
May the Lord be on my heart and on my lips, that I mayest worthily and fittingly proclaim His Paschal praise.
13. After this, the deacon or celebrant goes to the lectern, which is completely covered with a white drape. He places the book on the lecturn and incenses it; then he circles the Paschal candle, incensing it. Then all rise and remain standing, as they usually do when the Gospel is proclaimed at Mass, while the deacon sings or the celebrant sings or reads the Paschal proclamation, having before him the Paschal candle and the processional cross, toward the left liturgical north side of the church. All hold lit candles in their hands until the end of the Paschal proclamation.
Let the angelic choirs of Heaven now rejoice; let the divine Mysteries rejoice; and let the trumpet of salvation sound forth the victory of so great a King. Let the earth also rejoice, made radiant by such splendor; and, enlightened with the brightness of the eternal King, let it know that the darkness of the whole world is scattered. Let our mother the Church also rejoice, adorned with the brightness of so great a light; and let this temple resound with the loud acclamations of the people. Wherefore I beseech you, most beloved brethren, who are here present in the wondrous brightness of this holy light, to invoke wtih me the mercy of almighty God. That He who has vouchsafed to admit me among the Levites, without any merits of mine, would pour forth the brightness of His light upon me, and enable me to perfect the praise of this wax candle. Through our Lord Jesus Christ His Son, Who with Him and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth one God for ever and ever. R. Amen.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
V. Lift up thy hearts.
R. We have them lifted up to the Lord.
V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God..
R. It is meet and just.
It is truly meet and right to proclaim with all our heart and all the affection of our mind, and with the ministry of our voices, the invisible God, the Father almighty, and His only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ, who repaid for us to His eternal Father the debt of Adam, and by the merciful shedding of His Blood, cancelled the debt incurred by original sin. For this is the Paschal Festival; in which that true Lamb is slain, with Whose Blood the doorposts of the faithful are consecrated.
This is the night in which Thou didst formerly cause our forefathers, the children of Israel, when brought out of Egypt, to pass through the Red Sea with dry foot. This, therefore, is the night which dissipated the darkness of sinners by the light of the pillar. This is the night which at this time throughout the world restores to grace and unites in sanctity those that believe in Christ, and are separated from the vices of the world and the darkness of sinners. This is the night in which, destroying the chains of death, Christ arose victorious from the grave. For it would have profited us nothing to have been born, unless redemption had also been bestowed upon us. O wondrous condescension of Thy mercy towards us! O inestimable affection of love: that Thou mightest redeem a slave, Thou didst deliver up Thy Son! O truly needful sin of Adam, which was blotted out by the death of Christ!
O happy fault, that merited to possess such and so great a Redeemer! O truly blessed night, which alone deserved to know the time and hour when Christ rose again from hell! This is the night of which it is written: And the night shall be as clear as the day; and the night is my light in my delights. Therefore the hallowing of this night puts to flight all wickedness, cleanses sins, and restores innocence to the fallen, and gladness to the sorrowful. It drives forth hatreds, it prepares concord, and brings down haughtiness. Wherefore, in this sacred night, receive, O holy Father, the evening sacrifice of this incense, which holy Church renders to Thee by the hands of Thy ministers in the solemn offering of this wax candle, made out the work of bees. Now also we know the praises of this pillar, which the shining fire enkindles to the honor of God. Which fire, although divided into parts, suffers no loss from its light being borrowed. For it is nourished by the melting wax, which the mother bee produced for the substance of this precious light. O truly blessed night, which plundered the Egyptians and enriched the Hebrews! A night in which heavenly things are united to those of earth, and things divine to those which are of man. We beseech Thee, therefore, O Lord, that this wax candle hallowed in honor of Thy Name, may continue to burn to dissipate the darkness of this night. And being accepted as a sweet savor, may be united with the heavenly lights. Let the morning star find its flame alight. That star, I mean, which knows no setting. He Who returning from hell, serenely shone forth upon mankind. We beseech Thee therefore, O Lord, that Thou wouldst grant peaceful times during this Paschal Festival, and vouchsafe to rule, govern, and keep with Thy constant protection us Thy servants, and all the clergy, and the devout people, together with our most holy Father, Pope N...., and our Bishop N.... Have regard, also, for those who reign over us, and, grant them Thine ineffable kindness and mercy, direct their thoughts in justice and peace, that from their earthy toil, they may come to their heavenly reward with all Thy people. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God: World without end. R. Amen.
After the Paschal proclamation is completed, all extinguish their candles and are seated.
V. -- The Readings
The deacon, at the sedilia or some other appropriate place, lays aside his white vestments and again vests in violet. The subdeacon, giving the processional cross to the master of ceremonies, returns to his place. An acolyte removes the white drape from the lecturn, or places another undecorated lecturn in front of it. The lectors in choir dress make a reverence toward the altar, then go to the lecturn and read the readings, facing the Paschal candle, which is to the right hand the Gospel side of the altar, toward the left side liturgical north of the church. The readings are read without title, and the response Deo gratias is not made. All are seated and listen. If there is no deacon, the following simple rite may be used: the celebrant returns to the sedilia. With the assistance of the servers, he removes the white dalmatic and stole, and again puts on the violet stole and chasuble. The crucifer places the processional cross near the credence table on the epistle side. The servers remove the white drape from the lecturn, or place another undecorated lecturn in an opportune place in front of it. Wearing the violet chasuble, the celebrant returns to the lecturn for the recitation of the readings. -- If a suitable lector is present, he may recite the readings, wearing the cotta. In this case, the celebrant is seated and listens. The readings are read without title, and the response Deo gratias is not made. They are read from the middle of the sanctuary, by either the celebrant or a lector, facing the Paschal candle, which is to the right hand the Gospel side of the altar, toward the left side liturgical north of the church. The servers and people are seated and listen.
THE FIRST READING
Gen. 1:1-31; 2:1-2
In the beginning, God created heaven and earth. And the earth was void and empty, and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved over the water. And God said: Be light made. And light was made. And God saw the light that it was good: and He divided the light from the darkness. And He called the light Day, and the darkness Night: and there was evening and morning, one day. And God said: Let there be a firmament made amidst the waters: and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made a firmament, and divided the waters that were under the firmament from those that were above the firmament. And it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven: and the evening and morning were the second day. God also said: Let the waters that are under the heaven be gathered together into one place; and let the dry land appear. And it was so done. And God called the dry land Earth: and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good. And He said: Let the earth bring forth his green herb, after its kind, which may have seed in itself upon the earth. And it was so done. And the earth brought forth the green herb, and such as tieldeth seed according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And the evening and morning were the third day. And God said: Let there be lights made in the firmament of heaven to divide the day and the night, and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years.: to shine in the firmament of heaven. and to give light to the earth. And it was so done. And God made two great lights: a greater light to rule the day; and a lesser light to rule the night: and the stars. And He set them in the firmament of heaven, to shine upon the earth, and to rule the day and the night, and to divide the earth, and to rule the day and the night, and to divide the light and the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And the evening and morning were the fourth day. God also said: Let het waters bring forth the creeping creature having life, and the fowl that may fly over the earth under the firmament of heaven. And God created the great whales, and every living thing and moving creature which the waters brought forth, according to their kinds, and every winged fowl according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And He blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the waters of the sea: and let the birds be multiplied upon the earth. And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. And God said: Let the earth bring forth the living creature in its kind, cattle, and creeping things, and beasts of the earth according to their kinds. And it was so done. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds, and cattle, and every thing and every thing that creepeth on the earth after its kind. And God saw that it was good. And He said: Let us make man to His own image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth. And God created man to His own image: to the image of God He created him, male and female He created them. And God blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and all living creatures that move upon the earth. And God said: Behold, I have given you every herb-bearing seed upon the earth, and all trees that have in themselves seed of their own kind to be your meat: and to all the beasts of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to all that move upon the earth, and wherein there is life, that they may have to feed upon. And it was so done. And God saw all the things that He had made, and they were very good. And the evening and morning were the sixth day. So the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the furniture of them. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made: and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.
All stand for the prayer. The people genuflect along with the celebrant, who then sings the following prayer with hands joined in ferial tone A or the ancient solemn tone , while an acolyte holds the book before him.
Let us pray.
V. Let us kneel.
R. Arise.
O God, who hast wonderfully created man, and more wonderfully restored him: grant us, we beseech Thee, to stand firm with strong minds against the allurements of sin, that we may deserve to arrive at everlasting joys. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.
The deacon, at the sedilia or some other appropriate place, lays aside his white vestments and again vests in violet. The subdeacon, giving the processional cross to the master of ceremonies, returns to his place. An acolyte removes the white drape from the lecturn, or places another undecorated lecturn in front of it. The lectors in choir dress make a reverence toward the altar, then go to the lecturn and read the readings, facing the Paschal candle, which is to the right hand the Gospel side of the altar, toward the left side liturgical north of the church. The readings are read without title, and the response Deo gratias is not made. All are seated and listen. If there is no deacon, the following simple rite may be used: the celebrant returns to the sedilia. With the assistance of the servers, he removes the white dalmatic and stole, and again puts on the violet stole and chasuble. The crucifer places the processional cross near the credence table on the epistle side. The servers remove the white drape from the lecturn, or place another undecorated lecturn in an opportune place in front of it. Wearing the violet chasuble, the celebrant returns to the lecturn for the recitation of the readings. -- If a suitable lector is present, he may recite the readings, wearing the cotta. In this case, the celebrant is seated and listens. The readings are read without title, and the response Deo gratias is not made. They are read from the middle of the sanctuary, by either the celebrant or a lector, facing the Paschal candle, which is to the right hand the Gospel side of the altar, toward the left side liturgical north of the church. The servers and people are seated and listen.
THE FIRST READING
Gen. 1:1-31; 2:1-2
In the beginning, God created heaven and earth. And the earth was void and empty, and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved over the water. And God said: Be light made. And light was made. And God saw the light that it was good: and He divided the light from the darkness. And He called the light Day, and the darkness Night: and there was evening and morning, one day. And God said: Let there be a firmament made amidst the waters: and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made a firmament, and divided the waters that were under the firmament from those that were above the firmament. And it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven: and the evening and morning were the second day. God also said: Let the waters that are under the heaven be gathered together into one place; and let the dry land appear. And it was so done. And God called the dry land Earth: and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good. And He said: Let the earth bring forth his green herb, after its kind, which may have seed in itself upon the earth. And it was so done. And the earth brought forth the green herb, and such as tieldeth seed according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And the evening and morning were the third day. And God said: Let there be lights made in the firmament of heaven to divide the day and the night, and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years.: to shine in the firmament of heaven. and to give light to the earth. And it was so done. And God made two great lights: a greater light to rule the day; and a lesser light to rule the night: and the stars. And He set them in the firmament of heaven, to shine upon the earth, and to rule the day and the night, and to divide the earth, and to rule the day and the night, and to divide the light and the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And the evening and morning were the fourth day. God also said: Let het waters bring forth the creeping creature having life, and the fowl that may fly over the earth under the firmament of heaven. And God created the great whales, and every living thing and moving creature which the waters brought forth, according to their kinds, and every winged fowl according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And He blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the waters of the sea: and let the birds be multiplied upon the earth. And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. And God said: Let the earth bring forth the living creature in its kind, cattle, and creeping things, and beasts of the earth according to their kinds. And it was so done. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds, and cattle, and every thing and every thing that creepeth on the earth after its kind. And God saw that it was good. And He said: Let us make man to His own image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth. And God created man to His own image: to the image of God He created him, male and female He created them. And God blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and all living creatures that move upon the earth. And God said: Behold, I have given you every herb-bearing seed upon the earth, and all trees that have in themselves seed of their own kind to be your meat: and to all the beasts of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to all that move upon the earth, and wherein there is life, that they may have to feed upon. And it was so done. And God saw all the things that He had made, and they were very good. And the evening and morning were the sixth day. So the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the furniture of them. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made: and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.
All stand for the prayer. The people genuflect along with the celebrant, who then sings the following prayer with hands joined in ferial tone A or the ancient solemn tone , while an acolyte holds the book before him.
Let us pray.
V. Let us kneel.
R. Arise.
O God, who hast wonderfully created man, and more wonderfully restored him: grant us, we beseech Thee, to stand firm with strong minds against the allurements of sin, that we may deserve to arrive at everlasting joys. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.
THE SECOND READING
Exo. 14:24-31; 15:1
In those days, it came to pass in the morning watch, and behold the Lord looking upon the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire, and of the cloud, slew their host: and overthrew the wheels of the chariots, and they were carried into the deep. And the Egyptians said: Let us flee from Israel: for the Lord fighteth for them against us. And the Lord said to Moses: Stretch forth thy hand over the sea, that the waters may com again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and horsemen. And when Moses had stretched forth his hand towards the sea, it returned at the first break of day to the former place: and as the Egyptians were fleeing away the waters came upon them, and the Lord shut them up in the middle of the waves. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen of all the army of Pharao, who had come into the sea after them: neither did there so much as one of them remain. But the children of Israel marched through the midst of the sea upon dry land, and the waters were to them as a wall on the right hand and the left: and the Lord delivered Israel on that day out of the hand of the Egyptians. And they saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore, and the mighty hand of the Lord had used against them: and the people feared the Lord, and they believed the Lord, and Moses His servant. Then Moses and the children of Israel sung this canticle to the Lord, and said:
CANTICLE
Exod 15:1-2
Let us sing to the Lord, for He is gloriously honored: the horse and the rider He hath thrown into the sea: He has become my Helper and Protector unto salvation. V. He is my God, and I will honor Him: the God of my father, and I will extol Him. V. He is the Lord that destroys wars: the Lord is His Name.
Let us pray.
V. Let us kneel.
R. Arise.
O God, Whose ancient miracles we see shining also in our days, whilst by the water of regeneration Thou dost operate for the salvation of the Gentiles, that which by the power of Thy right hand Thou didst confer upon one people, by delivering them from the Egyptian persecution: grant that all the nations of the world may become the children of Abraham, and partake of the dignity of the people of Israel. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
Exo. 14:24-31; 15:1
In those days, it came to pass in the morning watch, and behold the Lord looking upon the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire, and of the cloud, slew their host: and overthrew the wheels of the chariots, and they were carried into the deep. And the Egyptians said: Let us flee from Israel: for the Lord fighteth for them against us. And the Lord said to Moses: Stretch forth thy hand over the sea, that the waters may com again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and horsemen. And when Moses had stretched forth his hand towards the sea, it returned at the first break of day to the former place: and as the Egyptians were fleeing away the waters came upon them, and the Lord shut them up in the middle of the waves. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen of all the army of Pharao, who had come into the sea after them: neither did there so much as one of them remain. But the children of Israel marched through the midst of the sea upon dry land, and the waters were to them as a wall on the right hand and the left: and the Lord delivered Israel on that day out of the hand of the Egyptians. And they saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore, and the mighty hand of the Lord had used against them: and the people feared the Lord, and they believed the Lord, and Moses His servant. Then Moses and the children of Israel sung this canticle to the Lord, and said:
CANTICLE
Exod 15:1-2
Let us sing to the Lord, for He is gloriously honored: the horse and the rider He hath thrown into the sea: He has become my Helper and Protector unto salvation. V. He is my God, and I will honor Him: the God of my father, and I will extol Him. V. He is the Lord that destroys wars: the Lord is His Name.
Let us pray.
V. Let us kneel.
R. Arise.
O God, Whose ancient miracles we see shining also in our days, whilst by the water of regeneration Thou dost operate for the salvation of the Gentiles, that which by the power of Thy right hand Thou didst confer upon one people, by delivering them from the Egyptian persecution: grant that all the nations of the world may become the children of Abraham, and partake of the dignity of the people of Israel. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
THE THIRD READING
Isa 4:2-6
In that day the bud of the Lord shall be in magnificence and glory, and the fruit of the earth shall be high, and a great joy to them that shall have escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that every one that shall be left in Sion, and that shall remain in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, every one that is written in life in Jerusalem. If the Lord shall wash away the filth of the daughters of Sion, and shall wash away the blood of Jerusalem out of the midst thereof, by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. And the Lord will create upon every place of mount Sion, and where he is called upon, a cloud by day, and a smoke and the brightness of a flaming fire in the night: for over all the glory shall be a protection. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a security and covert from the whirlwind, and from rain.
CANTICLE
Isa 5:1-2
A vineyard was made on a hill in a fruitful place.
V. And he fenced it in, and picked the stones out of it, and planted it with the choicest vines, and built a tower in the midst thereof.
V. And set up a winepress therein: for the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel.
Let us pray.
V. Let us kneel.
R. Arise.
O God, Who hast declared to all the children of Thy Church by the voice of the holy prophets, that in all places of Thine empire, Thou art the Sower of good seed, and the Cultivator of chosen branches: grant to Thy people who are called by Thee by the name of vines and harvestfield, that they may root out all thorns and briars, and produce good fruit in abundance. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost God, world without end.
Isa 4:2-6
In that day the bud of the Lord shall be in magnificence and glory, and the fruit of the earth shall be high, and a great joy to them that shall have escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that every one that shall be left in Sion, and that shall remain in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, every one that is written in life in Jerusalem. If the Lord shall wash away the filth of the daughters of Sion, and shall wash away the blood of Jerusalem out of the midst thereof, by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. And the Lord will create upon every place of mount Sion, and where he is called upon, a cloud by day, and a smoke and the brightness of a flaming fire in the night: for over all the glory shall be a protection. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a security and covert from the whirlwind, and from rain.
CANTICLE
Isa 5:1-2
A vineyard was made on a hill in a fruitful place.
V. And he fenced it in, and picked the stones out of it, and planted it with the choicest vines, and built a tower in the midst thereof.
V. And set up a winepress therein: for the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel.
Let us pray.
V. Let us kneel.
R. Arise.
O God, Who hast declared to all the children of Thy Church by the voice of the holy prophets, that in all places of Thine empire, Thou art the Sower of good seed, and the Cultivator of chosen branches: grant to Thy people who are called by Thee by the name of vines and harvestfield, that they may root out all thorns and briars, and produce good fruit in abundance. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost God, world without end.
THE FOURTH READING
Deut. 31:22-30
In those days: Moses therefore wrote the canticle, and taught it to the children of Israel. And the Lord commanded Josue the son of Nun, and said: Take courage, and be valiant: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I have promised, and I will be with thee. Therefore after Moses had wrote the words of this law in a volume, and finished it: he commanded the Levites, who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying: Take this book, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God: that it may be there for a testimony against thee. For I know thy obstinacy, and thy most stiff neck. While I am yet living, and going in with you, you have always been rebellious against the Lord: how much more when I shall be dead? Gather unto me all the ancients of your tribes, and your doctors, and I will speak these words in their hearing, and will call heaven and earth to witness against them. For I know that, after my death, you will do wickedly, and will quickly turn aside form the way that I have commanded you: and evils shall come upon you in the latter times, when you shall do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him by the works of your hands. Moses therefore spoke, in the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel, the words of this canticle, and finished it even to the end:
CANTICLE
Deut 32:1-4
Hear, O ye heavens, the things I speak, let the earth give ear to the words of my mouth.
V. Let my doctrine gather as the rain, let my speech distill as the dew, as a shower upon the herb.
V. And as drops upon the grass: because I will invoke the name of the Lord.
V. Give ye magnificence to our God: The works of God are perfect, and all his ways are judgments.
V. God is faithful and without any iniquity, he is just and right.
Let us pray.
V. Let us kneel.
R. Arise.
O God, the exaltation of the humble, and the strength of the righteous, Who, by Thy holy servant Moses, wast pleased so to instruct Thy people by the singing of Thy sacred canticle, that the renewal of the law should be also our guidance: show forth Thy power to all the multitude of Gentiles justified by Thee, and by mitigating Thy terror grant them joy: that, all sins being blotted out by Thy remission, the threatened vengeance may give way to salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost God, world without end.
Deut. 31:22-30
In those days: Moses therefore wrote the canticle, and taught it to the children of Israel. And the Lord commanded Josue the son of Nun, and said: Take courage, and be valiant: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I have promised, and I will be with thee. Therefore after Moses had wrote the words of this law in a volume, and finished it: he commanded the Levites, who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying: Take this book, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God: that it may be there for a testimony against thee. For I know thy obstinacy, and thy most stiff neck. While I am yet living, and going in with you, you have always been rebellious against the Lord: how much more when I shall be dead? Gather unto me all the ancients of your tribes, and your doctors, and I will speak these words in their hearing, and will call heaven and earth to witness against them. For I know that, after my death, you will do wickedly, and will quickly turn aside form the way that I have commanded you: and evils shall come upon you in the latter times, when you shall do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him by the works of your hands. Moses therefore spoke, in the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel, the words of this canticle, and finished it even to the end:
CANTICLE
Deut 32:1-4
Hear, O ye heavens, the things I speak, let the earth give ear to the words of my mouth.
V. Let my doctrine gather as the rain, let my speech distill as the dew, as a shower upon the herb.
V. And as drops upon the grass: because I will invoke the name of the Lord.
V. Give ye magnificence to our God: The works of God are perfect, and all his ways are judgments.
V. God is faithful and without any iniquity, he is just and right.
Let us pray.
V. Let us kneel.
R. Arise.
O God, the exaltation of the humble, and the strength of the righteous, Who, by Thy holy servant Moses, wast pleased so to instruct Thy people by the singing of Thy sacred canticle, that the renewal of the law should be also our guidance: show forth Thy power to all the multitude of Gentiles justified by Thee, and by mitigating Thy terror grant them joy: that, all sins being blotted out by Thy remission, the threatened vengeance may give way to salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost God, world without end.
VI. The First Part of the Litany
18. After the prayer concluding the fourth reading, all kneel, and the Litany of the Saints is sung, up to the invocation 'Propitius esto' exclusive, with everyone making the responses. The Litany is sung by two cantors, who kneel in the middle of the sanctuary, while the celebrant kneels with the sacred ministers at the sedilia. Or, if there is no cantor, the Litany is sung or recited by the celebrant, while kneeling with with the servers on the bottom step of the footpace, on the epistle side. Meanwhile a vessel containing water and everything else needed for the blessing of the baptismal water are prepared in the sanctuary, on the epistle side, in the sight of the faithful.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Saint Michael, pray for us.
Saint Gabriel, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, pray for us.
All ye holy Angels and Archangels, pray for us.
All ye holy orders of blessed Spirits, pray for us.
Saint John the Baptist, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, pray for us.
Saint Peter, pray for us.
Saint Paul, pray for us.
Saint Andrew, pray for us.
Saint John, pray for us.
All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists, pray for us.
All ye holy Disciples of the Lord, pray for us.
Saint Stephen, pray for us.
Saint Lawrence, pray for us.
Saint Vincent, pray for us.
All ye holy Martyrs, pray for us.
Saint Silvester, pray for us.
Saint Gregory, pray for us.
Saint Augustine, pray for us.
All ye holy Bishops and Confessors, pray for us.
All ye holy Doctors, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, pray for us.
Saint Benedict, pray for us.
Saint Dominic, pray for us.
Saint Francis, pray for us.
All ye holy Priests and Deacons, pray for us.
All ye holy Monks and Hermits, pray for us.
Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, pray for us.
Saint Cecilia, pray for us.
Saint Agatha, pray for us.
Saint Anastasia, pray for us.
All ye holy Virgins and Widows, pray for us.
All ye holy Saints of God, intercede for us.
18. After the prayer concluding the fourth reading, all kneel, and the Litany of the Saints is sung, up to the invocation 'Propitius esto' exclusive, with everyone making the responses. The Litany is sung by two cantors, who kneel in the middle of the sanctuary, while the celebrant kneels with the sacred ministers at the sedilia. Or, if there is no cantor, the Litany is sung or recited by the celebrant, while kneeling with with the servers on the bottom step of the footpace, on the epistle side. Meanwhile a vessel containing water and everything else needed for the blessing of the baptismal water are prepared in the sanctuary, on the epistle side, in the sight of the faithful.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Saint Michael, pray for us.
Saint Gabriel, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, pray for us.
All ye holy Angels and Archangels, pray for us.
All ye holy orders of blessed Spirits, pray for us.
Saint John the Baptist, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, pray for us.
Saint Peter, pray for us.
Saint Paul, pray for us.
Saint Andrew, pray for us.
Saint John, pray for us.
All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists, pray for us.
All ye holy Disciples of the Lord, pray for us.
Saint Stephen, pray for us.
Saint Lawrence, pray for us.
Saint Vincent, pray for us.
All ye holy Martyrs, pray for us.
Saint Silvester, pray for us.
Saint Gregory, pray for us.
Saint Augustine, pray for us.
All ye holy Bishops and Confessors, pray for us.
All ye holy Doctors, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, pray for us.
Saint Benedict, pray for us.
Saint Dominic, pray for us.
Saint Francis, pray for us.
All ye holy Priests and Deacons, pray for us.
All ye holy Monks and Hermits, pray for us.
Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, pray for us.
Saint Cecilia, pray for us.
Saint Agatha, pray for us.
Saint Anastasia, pray for us.
All ye holy Virgins and Widows, pray for us.
All ye holy Saints of God, intercede for us.
VII. The Blessing of the Baptismal Water
20. After the invocation 'Omnes Sancti et Sanctae Dei' is made, all rise. The cantors, if the litany has been sung, return to their places. After a reverence has been made toward the altar, the celebrant and ministers come to the place where the baptismal water will be blessed. 21. The sacred ministers and servers should be placed -- in whatever way may be fitting -- around the vessel containing the water in this manner: a) The celebrant stands in the sight of the people, having before him the vessel of water. The Paschal Candle is on his right, and a subdeacon or another cleric or a server with a cross on his left. b) The sacred ministers or the servers stand on both sides near the celebrant, that they may assist in whatever way needed for the ceremony. c) An acolyte or a server stands facing the celebrant with a Missal, unless a lecturn may be brought up. Then, in ferial tone A or the ancient simple tone the celebrant says with joined hands:
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray
Almighty and everlasting God, be present at these Mysteries of Thy great kindness, be present at these Sacraments: and send forth Thy Spirit of adoption to regenerate the new people, whom the font of baptism brings forth; that what is to be done by our humble ministry may be accomplished by the effect of Thy power. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God:
Raising his voice to the tone of the preface, and joining his hands, he continues:
World without end.
R. Amen.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
V. Lift up thy hearts.
R. We have them lifted up to the Lord.
V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God..
R. It is meet and just.
It is meet and just, right and availing unto salvation, to give Thee thanks always and in all places, O holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, Who, by Thine ineffable power dost wonderfully produce the effect of Thy Sacraments: and though we are unworthy to perform such great mysteries: yet, as Thou dost not abandon the gifts of Thy grace, so Thou inclinest the ears of Thy goodness, even to our prayers. O God, Whose Spirit in the very beginning of the world moved over the waters, that even then the nature of water might receive the virtue of sanctification. O God, Who by water didst wash away the crimes of the guilty world, and by the pouring out of the deluge didst give a figure of regeneration, that one and the same element might in a mystery be the end of vice and the beginning of virtue. Look, O Lord, on the face of Thy Church, and multiply in her Thy regenerations, who by the streams of Thine abundant grace fillest Thy city with joy, and openest the font of Baptism all over the world for the renewal of the Gentiles: that by the command of Thy Majesty she may receive the grace of Thine only Son from the Holy Ghost.
Here the celebrant, with outstretched hand, divides the water in the form of a cross, and wiping his hand with a towel, says:
May He by a secret mixture of His divine virtue render this water fruitful for the regeneration of men, to the end that a heavenly offspring, conceived by sanctification, may emerge from the immaculate womb of this divine font, reborn a new creature: and may all, however distinguished either by sex in body, or by age in time, be brought forth to the same infancy by grace, their mother. Therefore may all unclean spirits, by Thy command, O Lord, depart far from hence: may the whole malice of diabolical deceit be entirely banished: may no power of the enemy prevail here: let him not fly about to lay his snares; may he not creep in by stealth: may he not corrupt with his poison.
May this holy and innocent creature be free from all the assaults of the enemy, and purified by the destruction of all his wickedness. May it be a living fountain, a regenerating water, a purifying stream: that all those that are to be washed in this saving bath may obtain, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, the grace of a perfect cleansing.
He makes the Sign of the Cross over the water three times, and continues:
Therefore, I bless thee, O creature of water, by the living God, by the true God, by the holy God: by that God Who, in the beginning, separated thee by His Word from the dry land, Whose Spirit moved over thee.
Here he divides the water and casts some toward the four corners of the earth, saying:
Who made thee flow from the fountain of paradise and commanded thee to water the whole earth with thy four rivers. Who, changing thy bitterness in the desert into sweetness made thee fit to drink, and produced thee out of a rock to quench the thirsty people. I bless thee also by our Lord Jesus Christ, His only Son: Who in Cana of Galilee changed thee into wine by a wonderful miracle of His power. Who walked upon thee with dry foot, and was baptized in thee by John in the Jordan. Who made thee flow out of His side together with His Blood, and commanded His disciples that such as believed should be baptised in thee, saying: Go, teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
He changes his voice and proceeds in the tone of the Lesson.
Do thou, almighty God, mercifully assist us who observe this commandment: do Thou graciously inspire us.
He breathes on the water three times in the shape of the Cross.
Do Thou with Thy mouth bless these clear waters: that besides their natural virtue of cleansing the body, they may also prove efficacious for the purifying of the soul.
He lowers the Paschal candle into the water, and sings in the tone of the Preface:
May the virtue of the Holy Ghost descend into all the water of this font.
Withdrawing the candle from the water, he lowers it again to a greater depth and repeats in a higher tone
May the virtue of the Holy Ghost descend into all the water of this font.
Withdrawing it yet again, he again lowers it to the bottom of the vessel, repeating in yet a higher tone
May the virtue of the Holy Ghost descend into all the water of this font.
And make the whole substance of this water fruitful for regeneration.
Here the Paschal candle is taken out of the water, and he continues:
Here may the stains of all sins be washed out; here may human nature, created in v. Here may the stains of all sins be washed out; here may human nature, created in v. Here may the stains of all sins be washed out; here may human nature, created in Thine image, and reformed to the honor of its Author, be cleansed from all the filth of the old man: that all who receive the Sacrament of regeneration, may be born again new children of true innocence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son: Who shall come to judge the living and the dead, and the world by fire. R. Amen.
20. After the invocation 'Omnes Sancti et Sanctae Dei' is made, all rise. The cantors, if the litany has been sung, return to their places. After a reverence has been made toward the altar, the celebrant and ministers come to the place where the baptismal water will be blessed. 21. The sacred ministers and servers should be placed -- in whatever way may be fitting -- around the vessel containing the water in this manner: a) The celebrant stands in the sight of the people, having before him the vessel of water. The Paschal Candle is on his right, and a subdeacon or another cleric or a server with a cross on his left. b) The sacred ministers or the servers stand on both sides near the celebrant, that they may assist in whatever way needed for the ceremony. c) An acolyte or a server stands facing the celebrant with a Missal, unless a lecturn may be brought up. Then, in ferial tone A or the ancient simple tone the celebrant says with joined hands:
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray
Almighty and everlasting God, be present at these Mysteries of Thy great kindness, be present at these Sacraments: and send forth Thy Spirit of adoption to regenerate the new people, whom the font of baptism brings forth; that what is to be done by our humble ministry may be accomplished by the effect of Thy power. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God:
Raising his voice to the tone of the preface, and joining his hands, he continues:
World without end.
R. Amen.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
V. Lift up thy hearts.
R. We have them lifted up to the Lord.
V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God..
R. It is meet and just.
It is meet and just, right and availing unto salvation, to give Thee thanks always and in all places, O holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, Who, by Thine ineffable power dost wonderfully produce the effect of Thy Sacraments: and though we are unworthy to perform such great mysteries: yet, as Thou dost not abandon the gifts of Thy grace, so Thou inclinest the ears of Thy goodness, even to our prayers. O God, Whose Spirit in the very beginning of the world moved over the waters, that even then the nature of water might receive the virtue of sanctification. O God, Who by water didst wash away the crimes of the guilty world, and by the pouring out of the deluge didst give a figure of regeneration, that one and the same element might in a mystery be the end of vice and the beginning of virtue. Look, O Lord, on the face of Thy Church, and multiply in her Thy regenerations, who by the streams of Thine abundant grace fillest Thy city with joy, and openest the font of Baptism all over the world for the renewal of the Gentiles: that by the command of Thy Majesty she may receive the grace of Thine only Son from the Holy Ghost.
Here the celebrant, with outstretched hand, divides the water in the form of a cross, and wiping his hand with a towel, says:
May He by a secret mixture of His divine virtue render this water fruitful for the regeneration of men, to the end that a heavenly offspring, conceived by sanctification, may emerge from the immaculate womb of this divine font, reborn a new creature: and may all, however distinguished either by sex in body, or by age in time, be brought forth to the same infancy by grace, their mother. Therefore may all unclean spirits, by Thy command, O Lord, depart far from hence: may the whole malice of diabolical deceit be entirely banished: may no power of the enemy prevail here: let him not fly about to lay his snares; may he not creep in by stealth: may he not corrupt with his poison.
May this holy and innocent creature be free from all the assaults of the enemy, and purified by the destruction of all his wickedness. May it be a living fountain, a regenerating water, a purifying stream: that all those that are to be washed in this saving bath may obtain, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, the grace of a perfect cleansing.
He makes the Sign of the Cross over the water three times, and continues:
Therefore, I bless thee, O creature of water, by the living
God, by the true God, by the holy God: by that God Who, in the beginning, separated thee by His Word from the dry land, Whose Spirit moved over thee.Here he divides the water and casts some toward the four corners of the earth, saying:
Who made thee flow from the fountain of paradise and commanded thee to water the whole earth with thy four rivers. Who, changing thy bitterness in the desert into sweetness made thee fit to drink, and produced thee out of a rock to quench the thirsty people. I bless
thee also by our Lord Jesus Christ, His only Son: Who in Cana of Galilee changed thee into wine by a wonderful miracle of His power. Who walked upon thee with dry foot, and was baptized in thee by John in the Jordan. Who made thee flow out of His side together with His Blood, and commanded His disciples that such as believed should be baptised in thee, saying: Go, teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.He changes his voice and proceeds in the tone of the Lesson.
Do thou, almighty God, mercifully assist us who observe this commandment: do Thou graciously inspire us.
He breathes on the water three times in the shape of the Cross.
Do Thou with Thy mouth bless these clear waters: that besides their natural virtue of cleansing the body, they may also prove efficacious for the purifying of the soul.
He lowers the Paschal candle into the water, and sings in the tone of the Preface:
May the virtue of the Holy Ghost descend into all the water of this font.
Withdrawing the candle from the water, he lowers it again to a greater depth and repeats in a higher tone
May the virtue of the Holy Ghost descend into all the water of this font.
Withdrawing it yet again, he again lowers it to the bottom of the vessel, repeating in yet a higher tone
May the virtue of the Holy Ghost descend into all the water of this font.
And make the whole substance of this water fruitful for regeneration.
Here the Paschal candle is taken out of the water, and he continues:
Here may the stains of all sins be washed out; here may human nature, created in v. Here may the stains of all sins be washed out; here may human nature, created in v. Here may the stains of all sins be washed out; here may human nature, created in Thine image, and reformed to the honor of its Author, be cleansed from all the filth of the old man: that all who receive the Sacrament of regeneration, may be born again new children of true innocence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son: Who shall come to judge the living and the dead, and the world by fire. R. Amen.
Then one of the clerics or a server withdraws some of the blessed water into a vessel, which will be used for the sprinkling of the faithful after the renewal of baptismal vows, and for the sprinkling of homes and other places. This done, the celebrant who blessed the water pours the Oil of Catechumens into the water in the shape of the Cross, saying in an audible voice:
May this font be sanctified and made fruitful by the Oil of salvation, for those who are born anew therein unto life everlasting.
R. Amen.
Then he pours Holy Chrism into the water in the shape of the Cross, saying:
May the infusion of the Chrism of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Ghost the Comforter, be made in the Name of the Holy Trinity. R. Amen.
Then he takes both the vials of the Oil of Catechemens and the Holy Chrism, and pours them both into the water three times in the shape of the Cross, saying:
May this mixture of the Chrism of sanctification, and of the Oil of unction, and of the water of Baptism, be made to the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.
He then mixes the Oil and Chrism with the water. If there are any to be baptized, the Sacrament of Baptism here follows in the usual manner, according to Title II of the Rituale Romanum. If there are many to be baptized, certain alterations may be made so that the Baptismal rite is performed collectively rather than individually. If a bishop with jurisdiction is present, the neophytes may then receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. The blessing having been given, and the neophytes if any having been baptized, the baptismal water is now carried in solemn procession to the baptistry. The celebrant puts incense into the thurible, and the procession is formed in the following order: a.) the thurifer precedes with the thurible b.) the subdeacon of the Cross or crucifer with processional cross c.) the clergy or servers d.) the subdeacon and deacon or servers carrying the baptismal water e.) finally, the celebrant, with covered head The Paschal candle remains in its place. During the procession, the following hymn is sung:
Ps 41:2-4
As the hart panteth after the fountains of water, so my soul panteth after Thee, O God.
My soul hath thirsted for the living God: when shall I come and appear before the face of God?
My tears have become my bread day and night, while they say to me daily: Where is thy God?
The baptismal water is poured into the font, and the celebrant with hands joined sings in ferial tone A or the ancient simple tone :
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray
O Almighty and everlasting God, look mercifully on the devotion of Thy people about to be reborn, who like the hart pant after the fountain of Thy waters: and mercifully grant that the thirst of their faith may, by the Sacrament of Baptism, hallow their souls and bodies. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
23. If the baptistry is separate from the body of the Church, it may be preferable to bless the baptismal water in the font in the Baptistry. If this is the case, the clergy and servers form a procession when the cantors sing 'Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus', miserere nobis in the Litanies. The cantors remain in the sanctuary singing the Litany, if necessary repeating it from the line 'Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis', and the psalm 'Sicut cervus desiderat follows'. Upon arrival at the entrance to the baptistry, the celebrant says the prayer 'Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, respice propitius', the font is filled, and the blessing occurs as described above. Afterwards, the clergy and servers return to the church in silence.
May this font be sanctified and made fruitful by the Oil of salvation, for those who are born anew therein unto life everlasting.
R. Amen.
Then he pours Holy Chrism into the water in the shape of the Cross, saying:
May the infusion of the Chrism of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Ghost the Comforter, be made in the Name of the Holy Trinity. R. Amen.
Then he takes both the vials of the Oil of Catechemens and the Holy Chrism, and pours them both into the water three times in the shape of the Cross, saying:
May this mixture of the Chrism of sanctification, and of the Oil of unction, and of the water of Baptism, be made to the Name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. R. Amen.
He then mixes the Oil and Chrism with the water. If there are any to be baptized, the Sacrament of Baptism here follows in the usual manner, according to Title II of the Rituale Romanum. If there are many to be baptized, certain alterations may be made so that the Baptismal rite is performed collectively rather than individually. If a bishop with jurisdiction is present, the neophytes may then receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. The blessing having been given, and the neophytes if any having been baptized, the baptismal water is now carried in solemn procession to the baptistry. The celebrant puts incense into the thurible, and the procession is formed in the following order: a.) the thurifer precedes with the thurible b.) the subdeacon of the Cross or crucifer with processional cross c.) the clergy or servers d.) the subdeacon and deacon or servers carrying the baptismal water e.) finally, the celebrant, with covered head The Paschal candle remains in its place. During the procession, the following hymn is sung:
Ps 41:2-4
As the hart panteth after the fountains of water, so my soul panteth after Thee, O God.
My soul hath thirsted for the living God: when shall I come and appear before the face of God?
My tears have become my bread day and night, while they say to me daily: Where is thy God?
The baptismal water is poured into the font, and the celebrant with hands joined sings in ferial tone A or the ancient simple tone :
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray
O Almighty and everlasting God, look mercifully on the devotion of Thy people about to be reborn, who like the hart pant after the fountain of Thy waters: and mercifully grant that the thirst of their faith may, by the Sacrament of Baptism, hallow their souls and bodies. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
23. If the baptistry is separate from the body of the Church, it may be preferable to bless the baptismal water in the font in the Baptistry. If this is the case, the clergy and servers form a procession when the cantors sing 'Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus', miserere nobis in the Litanies. The cantors remain in the sanctuary singing the Litany, if necessary repeating it from the line 'Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis', and the psalm 'Sicut cervus desiderat follows'. Upon arrival at the entrance to the baptistry, the celebrant says the prayer 'Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, respice propitius', the font is filled, and the blessing occurs as described above. Afterwards, the clergy and servers return to the church in silence.
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