Easter Vigil 2020 was unlike any other. Usually involving many students, Chaplains and community members, the pandemic kept this year’s participants to a stark minimum and the service was rehearsed and celebrated while social distancing. Vestments and Easter-best outfits mingled with masks and clip-on microphones while two lone cameramen in purple gloves monitored the Vigil’s livestream from empty pews. The host was blessed for only a few instead of for many.
And yet, the Paschal candle was still lit—its flame still cut through the darkness. Though not physically present, the STM community renewed their baptism vows and celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ through smart phones, computers and tablets. And God’s love still brought the STM community together.
David Little of the STM facility staff prepares the Chapel for the Easter Vigil and waters the flowers.
Fr. Ryan and Sr. Jenn run through the Mass with cantor Karolina Wojteczko '20 Mus.M. and organist Laura Richling.
Brian Forbes of Strategy-1st tests his equipment.
Karolina Wojteczko '20 Mus.M. takes a quiet moment to compose herself 7:00 before the Vigil.
Fr. Ryan vests before the Vigil.
The Paschal Candle is lit to begin the Vigil.
Love survives. Love is a bond so strong that it could never be broken, undone or disconnected. Love has brought us this far unto this hour on this Holy night. We are the Church of love that was born on that Good Friday afternoon, which has persevered through over two-thousand years, and who gathers at the empty tomb on this Easter night.
We come with our experience of being loved by God, through Jesus Christ. We are filled with the courage of love and the risen Christ who dwells within us as divine love, as resurrection and life. As our Holy Father, Pope Francis, reminds us: “With God, life never dies. The Lord seeks to reawaken and revive our Easter faith. We have been saved. We have been redeemed. We have been healed and embraced so that nothing and no one can separate us from his redeeming love. He is risen and is living by our side. Life awaits us. Grace lives within us. Let us not quench that wavering flame that never falters and let us allow hope to be rekindled.”1
My friends, trust in the love that brought you here. The divine love that you breathe in your lungs. The love that will lead us forward through this pandemic, through sickness, through darkness and uncertainty, and even through death itself and onward into life everlasting. The love that will change us and our world for good by making us kinder and gentler; holy and heroic. Love. Christ is risen. Indeed, he is truly risen as he promised. Hallelujah, hallelujah.
1Urbi et Orbi address, March 27, 2020
Fr. Ryan delivers his homily.
Dewey Forbes mans the camera on the balcony.
Fr. Pat Reidy GRD '21 prays over the Eucharist from the back of the Chapel as he concelebrates with Fr. Ryan while social distancing.
The Paschal Candle is extinguished at the end of the Easter Vigil.
