Easter Vigil
For Holy Saturday, had breakfast at Restoran Yoong Ping with SK and mum. Quite a heart breakfast of nasi lemak, curry noodles, curry chee cheong fun and kaya toast. At about 10:30am, SK left for her medical appointment at Klang while mum and I went home. Pretty much lazed at home until lunch time when mum decided to go out to buy her nombor ekor. Ventured to Taman Kinrara area. Not too far from BK5, but oh boy, the environment is quite different. Crossing the underpass is like crossing the proverbial railroad tracks. A bustling commercial area, but full of immigrants and petty traders. While waiting, I observed an old man at his soya milk stall. He had a cloth which he used to wipe his stainless steel counter; Wipe his hand; Wipe the soya milk canister; And also wipe the sweat from his forehead. Huhuhu. Packed mixed rice at one of the shops and headed home for lunch. For $5, it divided nicely into two large plates. Easter Vigil was at 6:45pm, so we gave ourselves a headstart of about one hour to get there. Being early, we managed to get good parking and good seats. The altars boys were already out front preparing the coals for the holy fire. Like a BBQ party of sorts.
As usual, when the time came, everyone moved outside and all the lights in the church were turned off. The Service of Light started off with priest tracing a cross in the Paschal Candle, Alpha and Omega, and the numerals of the current year. He then proceeded to embed five 'incense nails' into the candle representing the five wounds of Jesus. The paschal candle was then lit from the fire.
"May the light of Christ, rising in glory, illumine our hearts and minds."
The priest then began the procession into the church, stopping for three times to recite:
"The light of Christ. Thanks be to God."
From then on, the congregation lit the candles in their hands from the flames of the paschal candle and also proceeded to go into the church. The assistant parish priest had a very challenging time chanting the long prayers of the high mass. Tone deaf, what to do? Then began the Ministry of the Word where several readings from the Old Testament were chosen. Most recognizable among them was the deliverance of Israel through the Red Sea as written in the Book of Exodus.
"I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea."
Next up was the Rite of Baptism. Love listening to the Litany of the Saints. Slightly more than twenty adults this year. Noticed a change in the baptismal font this year. This time round they used a large clay bowl on a pedestal. The holy water was blessed by dipping the paschal candle in it. Then we had the Eucharistic Prayers and the newly-baptised received their first Holy Communion. Was a very happy occassion. Reminded me of my own baptism some six years ago.
"We thank you that through the waters of baptism you cleanse us, renew us by your Spirit and raise us to new life. In the new covenant we are made members of your Church and share in your eternal kingdom."
By the time mass ended, it was already 9:45pm and the English speaking parishioners had already started to trickle in for the midnight mass. Went home to have a supper of milo and bread...
"The Risen Christ is in our midst. Alleluia! Alleluia!"
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