Celebrating New Life in Christ

The ancient and beautiful liturgy of the Easter Vigil, celebrated the night before Easter Sunday, welcomed the Light of the Risen Christ in churches across the Diocese April 8.

Celebrating Mass in English and French in St. Anthony Church, Hamilton, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., wrapped up a Holy Week schedule that brought him to seven different faith communities around the Diocese.

Beginning just outside the church, Bishop O’Connell blessed the Easter fire and lit the Paschal Candle, from whose flame the darkened church was illuminated as the faithful’s candles were lit one by one through the sharing of flames.

By candlelight, Msgr.

Thomas N.

is what we celebrate tonight. That is what joins us with baptized Christians throughout the world.”

Traditionally, the Easter Vigil is the time when new Catholics and those seeking full communion in the Church, receive the Sacraments of Initiation. This year, 547 faithful were welcomed as fully initiated Catholics into the Church in parishes across Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

In St. Anthony of Padua Church, Red Bank, Father Nicholas Dolan, parochial vicar, reflected on the Easter Vigil rites that were unfolding around the world, saying, “The procession of the candlelight into the dark church signifies the light Jesus brings to our darkness, to all of us.”

Gervasio,

pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, sang the Easter Proclamation, also known as the Exsultet.

In his homily, Bishop O’Connell declared, “Jesus of Nazareth is Jesus the Christ, the Messiah – everything that had been said and predicted about him had been fulfilled, had come true. My sisters and brothers, the Lord Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. That

During Mass, Father Alberto Tamayo, pastor, baptized 10 young parishioners. An additional nine adults completed their Sacraments of Initiation.

Abel Gregorio Espidio, who received his Sacraments that night, shared his desire for his family to learn that you can do anything when God is with you. “I am getting married in September and after talking to my fiancé we decided to do this to become closer with God in our new life. This experience … has increased my faith and made me realize how blessed I am,” he said.

For more photos and news coverage on the Easter Vigil celebrated in parishes across the Diocese, visit TrentonMonitor.org>Faith and Culture>Seasons and Celebrations.

St. Anthony Church, Hamilton, part of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, is aglow with the light of taper candles held by parishioners at the start of the Easter Vigil. Mike

Congregants hold taper candles during the singing of the Exsultet during the Easter Vigil in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Red Bank. Hal

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., was principal celebrant of the Easter Vigil Mass in St. Anthony Church, Hamilton. Shown with the Bishop are concelebrants Father Paul Janvier, parochial vicar, and Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio, pastor. Mike Ehrmann photo