The Great Vigil - Holy Saturday

Little sweetheart, today is Holy Saturday and, tonight, the Great Vigil of Easter.

After Good Friday service, when again, everyone leaves the sanctuary in silence in the early afternoon, the church is closed until this evening service. Sometimes, very dramatically, it doesn’t begin until after 11pm, so that the second half begins at midnight and is Sunday morning. Some begin even later, just before Sunday dawn.

Again, the sanctuary is in near darkness, illuminated this time by a fire, the Easter Fire, and a single candle, the Paschal candle, that is kindled from it. Eventually, parishioners each holding their own candle, light them from the Paschal one and when the service reaches its second half, lights fully illumine the sanctuary and bells peal. It’s really rather wonderful, little sweetheart.

Tonight, again, I watched the Grace Church service, which is held a bit earlier, closer to 8pm. Now that I think of it, it’s not unlike Advent which also observes a kind of waiting for the light to return, darkness to light. And this is why this whole week is so resonant to me, I think, little sweetheart.

In my grief and longing for you, it helps remind me that you are closer than I can imagine and just to have faith and listen for your guiding presence. I will be with you again, soon and forever.

With all my love.