The Easter Vigil, held on Holy Saturday evening, is a profound and rich liturgy, moving us from the darkness to light, from death to life. This night is a powerful reminder of God's enduring promise of liberation and the ultimate triumph of Christ's Resurrection over sin and death.

The Vigil unfolds in four distinct parts, each laden with significance. The Service of Light commences in complete darkness, symbolizing the world before Christ. The lighting of the Paschal Candle represents Christ, the Light of the World, dispelling the darkness of sin and ignorance. The Exsultet, a hymn of praise, proclaims the joy of Christ's victory and the blessings of the Paschal mystery.

The Liturgy of the Word follows, taking us on a journey through salvation history, from the creation narrative to the prophecies of the Old Testament. These readings highlight God's faithfulness and his continuous intervention in human history, preparing us for the ultimate revelation of his love in the Resurrection.

The Baptismal Liturgy is a celebration of new life in Christ. For those who have spent the last number of months preparing to be welcome into the Roman Catholic Church, it is the moment of initiation into the Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. For all present, it is a time to renew baptismal promises. The sprinkling of the congregation with blessed water is a tangible reminder of this renewal and purification.

Finally, the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the high point of the Vigil, unites us with Christ's sacrifice and resurrection. In receiving the Eucharist, we enter into communion with the risen Lord. This is the Easter sacrament in its fullest sense, commemorating the sacrifice of the Cross and celebrating the presence of the risen Christ.

At St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, Frank Cardinal Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto celebrated the sacraments with the newly initiated, welcoming 41 new members of the Catholic community, along with their sponsors, godparents and the faithful at the mother church of the archdiocese. In parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto, the newest members of our faith community were welcomed at their own local Easter Vigil liturgy.

Participating in the Easter Vigil is an invitation to conversion and transformation. It calls us to recognize the power of the Resurrection in our own lives, to die to sin, and to rise to new life in Christ. As we keep watch during this holy night, we are reminded that we, too, are called to be witnesses of the Resurrection, bringing the light of Christ to a world often shrouded in darkness.

We pray for all those who have joined the Catholic Church at this year’s Easter Vigil. May these newest members of our faith community be sealed with the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Eucharist. We pray that they will grow in faith, hope, and love, each new day of their faith journey.