Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament

April 4, 2026

Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter

This is the night… As Director of OCIA for our parish in Trinity, Florida, we have been preparing and looking forward to this night for a long time. Our Elect, our candidates, and those completing the sacraments of initiation will lead us into hope tonight. Every year, as I see their faces, I marvel at what the Holy Spirit is doing in each of our lives. No matter the chaos surrounding our world, the Spirit hovers, renews, and sets hearts on fire. The love of God present in the Eucharist brings us together to the Great Easter Vigil Mass.

We begin the liturgy in darkness, and little by little, we are brought into the light. We hear the history of salvation — our history — and we remember who we are.

“For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.” (Romans 6:5)

Then in the Gospel, we hear the angel of the Lord say:

“Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.” (Matthew 28:5)

In her diary, Saint Faustina wrote about one day when she was feeling very ill, and the sisters were impatient with her. She wrote: “I am writing all this to dissuade souls from treating others in this way, for it is displeasing to the Lord. In a suffering soul, we should see Jesus Crucified, and not a loafer or a burden on the community… Poor indeed is a convent where there are no sick sisters.” (Diary, 1268)

“To be able to bear the crucified Jesus, we must see the risen Jesus.” (Eymard, A Thought Per Day)

This is what this night is all about. In the Eucharist, we see the risen Jesus, and then we go look for Jesus the Crucified.

Let us pray:

“May the light of Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.” (from Easter Vigil liturgy, when the priest lights the Paschal Candle from the new fire)