The celebrant and ministers, vested in penitential violet, approach to sanctify the new fire, in anticipation of the light of Easter Day.The deacon changes from his penitential vestments into the white dalmatic of joy.A procession is formed. The faithful follow the clergy into the church. Three times along the way the procession stops. The deacon sings “Lumen Christi,” while the ministers and faithful kneel. When the sacred ministers achieve the sanctuary, the deacon proceeds to consecrate the Paschal Candle by the great Easter proclamation, the ancient “Exsultet.”The dedication candles and the lamps of the church are now lighted from the Paschal Candle.A procession is formed to the basptistery, led by the Paschal Candle for the Baptisms.The celebrant blesses the baptismal water.The celebrant plunges the Paschal Candle into the water thrice.The celebrant circles the church to sprinkle the faithful with the baptismal water.The catechumens are baptized.The newly baptized receive baptismal candles, symbolizing the new light of grace which they have received.ConfirmationsThe choir begins the Litany of the Saints. The sacred ministers divest and prostrate themselves at the foot of the altar. The acolytes prepare the altar for the festive Mass of Easter.Toward the end of the Litany, the celebrant and ministers return.The celebrant intones the Gloria. The church bells are sounded.The images of the church are uncovered.Acolytes bearing torches approach the altar for the Consecration.First CommunionsThe deacon sings the dismissal, to which the alleluia is appended. “Ite missa est alleluia, alleluia”
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