SMC ENGLISH MASS - Easter Vigil Year A (4 Apr 2026)
SMC English Mass -
Easter Vigil Year A (4 Apr 2026)
The Blessing of the Fire and Preparation of the Candle
Dear brethren (brothers and sisters),
on this most sacred night, in which our Lord Jesus Christ passed over from death to life, the Church calls upon her sons and daughters, scattered throughout the world, to come together to watch and pray.
If we keep the memorial of the Lord’s paschal solemnity in this way, listening to his word and celebrating his mysteries, then we shall have the sure hope of sharing his triumph over death and living with him in God.
Let us pray.
O God, who through your Son
bestowed upon the faithful the fire of your glory, sanctify ✠ this new fire, we pray, and grant that, by these paschal celebrations, we may be so inflamed with heavenly desires, that with minds made pure we may attain festivities of unending splendor. Through Christ our Lord.
All. Amen.
Light of Christ Vigil Pascal Candle Opening Procession chant
P✠: The Light of Christ
All : Thanks be to God
P✠: The Light of Christ
All : Thanks be to God
P✠: The Light of Christ
All : Thanks be to God
Easter Proclamation
V✠: Exult….
……
V✠: The Lord be with you
All : And with your spirit
V✠: Lift up your hearts
All : We lift them up to the Lord
V✠: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
All : It is right and just
V✠: It is truly right and just, ...……
All : Amen
Instruction before the Word of God by Priest
Dear brethren (brothers and sisters),
now that we have begun our solemn Vigil, let us listen with quiet hearts to the Word of God.
Let us meditate on how God in times past saved his people and in these, the last days, has sent us his Son as our Redeemer.
Let us pray that our God may complete this paschal work of salvation by the fullness of redemption.
1ST READING – Genesis 1:1, 26-31a
In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, God said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground." God created man in his image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: "Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth." God also said: "See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food." And so it happened. God looked at everything he had made, and found it very good. — The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM – Psalm 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24,35
R: Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
You are clothed with majesty and glory, robed in light as with a cloak.
R: Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
You fixed the earth upon its foundation, not to be moved forever; with the ocean, as with a garment, you covered it; above the mountains the waters stood.
R: Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
You send forth springs into the watercourses that wind among the mountains. Beside them the birds of heaven dwell; from among the branches they send forth their song.
R: Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
You water the mountains from your palace; the earth is replete with the fruit of your works.
You raise grass for the cattle,
and vegetation for man's use, Producing bread from the earth.
R: Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
How manifold are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you have wrought them all— the earth is full of your creatures.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
R: Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
PRAYER
Let us pray. (pause)
Almighty ever-living God,
who are wonderful in the ordering of all your works,
may those you have redeemed understand
that there exists nothing more marvelous
than the world’s creation in the beginning
except that, at the end of the ages,
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed.
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
2ND READING – Exodus 14:15-15:1
The LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. And you, lift up your staff and, with hand outstretched over the sea, split the sea in two, that the Israelites may pass through it on dry land. But I will make the Egyptians so obstinate that they will go in after them. Then I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots and charioteers. The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I receive glory through Pharaoh and his chariots and charioteers.”
The angel of God, who had been leading Israel’s camp, now moved and went around behind them. The column of cloud also, leaving the front, took up its place behind them, so that it came between the camp of the Egyptians and that of Israel. But the cloud now became dark, and thus the night passed without the rival camps coming any closer together all night long. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD swept the sea with a strong east wind throughout the night and so turned it into dry land. When the water was thus divided, the Israelites marched into the midst of the sea on dry land, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left.
The Egyptians followed in pursuit; all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and charioteers went after them right into the midst of the sea. In the night watch just before dawn the LORD cast through the column of the fiery cloud upon the Egyptian force a glance that threw it into a panic; and he so clogged their chariot wheels that they could hardly drive. With that the Egyptians sounded the retreat before Israel, because the LORD was fighting for them against the Egyptians.
Then the LORD told Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may flow back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and their charioteers.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea flowed back to its normal depth. The Egyptians were fleeing head on toward the sea, when the LORD hurled them into its midst. As the water flowed back, it covered the chariots and the charioteers of Pharaoh’s whole army which had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not a single one of them escaped. But the Israelites had marched on dry land through the midst of the sea, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel on that day from the power of the Egyptians. When Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore and beheld the great power that the LORD had shown against the Egyptians, they feared the LORD and believed in him and in his servant Moses.
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea. — The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM – Exodus 15:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 17-18
🎼 I will sing to the Lord, glorious His triumph.
I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea. My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior. He is my God, I praise him; the God of my father, I extol him.
🎼 I will sing to the Lord, glorious His triumph.
The LORD is a warrior, LORD is his name! Pharaoh’s chariots and army he hurled into the sea; the elite of his officers were submerged in the Red Sea.
🎼 I will sing to the Lord, glorious His triumph.
The flood waters covered them, they sank into the depths like a stone. Your right hand, O LORD, magnificent in power, your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy.
🎼 I will sing to the Lord, glorious His triumph.
You brought in the people you redeemed and planted them on the mountain of your inheritance – the place where you made your seat, O Lord, the sanctuary, LORD, which your hands established. The LORD shall reign forever and ever.
🎼 I will sing to the Lord, glorious His triumph.
PRAYER
Let us pray. (pause)
O God, whose ancient wonders remain undimmed in splendor even in our day, for what you once bestowed on a single people, freeing them from Pharaoh’s persecution by the power of your right hand, now you bring about as the salvation of the nations through the waters of rebirth, grant, we pray, that the whole world may become children of Abraham and inherit the dignity of Israel’s birthright. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
3RD READING – Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28
The word of the Lord came to me, saying: Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their land, they defiled it by their conduct and deeds. Therefore I poured out my fury upon them because of the blood that they poured out on the ground, and because they defiled it with idols. I scattered them among the nations, dispersing them over foreign lands; according to their conduct and deeds I judged them. But when they came among the nations wherever they came, they served to profane my holy name, because it was said of them: “These are the people of the Lord, yet they had to leave their land.” So I have relented because of my holy name which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they came. Therefore say to the house of Israel: Thus says the Lord God: Not for your sakes do I act, house of Israel, but for the sake of my holy name, which you profaned among the nations to which you came. I will prove the holiness of my great name, profaned among the nations, in whose midst you have profaned it. Thus the nations shall know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when in their sight I prove my holiness through you. For I will take you away from among the nations, gather you from all the foreign lands, and bring you back to your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees. You shall live in the land I gave your fathers; you shall be my people, and I will be your God. – The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM –
🎼 As the deer #022 P.7
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship Thee
You alone are my Strength, my Shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship Thee.
Lord I long to worship thee
PRAYER
Let us pray. (pause)
O God of unchanging power and eternal light, look with favor on the wondrous mystery of the whole Church and serenely accomplish the work of human salvation,
which you planned from all eternity; may the whole world know and see that what was cast down is raised up, what had become old is made new, and all things are restored to integrity through Christ, just as by him they came into being.
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
GLORIA
Glory to God. Glory to God. Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace on earth, peace to people of good will. (Amen)
We praise You. We bless You. We adore you. We glorify You. We give You thanks for Your great glory. Lord God, heavenly King, O God almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only-begotten Son. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father: you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. You take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. You are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One. You alone are the Lord. You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father.
COLLECT
Let us pray. (pause)
O God, who make this most sacred night radiant with the glory of the Lord’s Resurrection, stir up in your Church a spirit of adoption, so that, renewed in body and mind, we may render you undivided service. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
All: Amen
EPISTLE – Romans 6:3-11
Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.
For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus. – The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Solemn Alleluia and Psalm – 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
P✠ : Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
🎼 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.”
🎼 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The right hand of the LORD has struck with power; the right hand of the LORD is exalted. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
🎼 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes.
🎼Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL – Matthew 28:1-10
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was
dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance
was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow.
The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his
feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid! Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” —The Gospel of the Lord.
All: 🎼Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Homily
Litany of the Saint
PRAYER
Almighty ever-living God, be present by the mysteries of your great love and send forth the spirit of adoption to create the new peoples brought to birth for you in the font of Baptism, so that what is to be carried out by our humble service may be brought to fulfillment by your mighty power. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen
Blessing of Water
O God, who by invisible power accomplish a wondrous effect through sacramental signs and who in many ways have prepared water, your creation, to show forth the grace of Baptism;
O God, whose Spirit in the first moments of the world’s creation hovered over the waters, so that the very substance of water would even then take to itself the power to sanctify;
O God, who by the outpouring of the flood
foreshadowed regeneration,
so that from the mystery of one and the same element of water would come an end to vice and a beginning of virtue;
O God, who caused the children of Abraham to pass dry-shod through the Red Sea, so that the chosen people, set free from slavery to Pharaoh, would prefigure the people of the baptized;
O God, whose Son, baptized by John in the waters of the Jordan, was anointed with the Holy Spirit, and, as he hung upon the Cross,
gave forth water from his side along with blood,
and after his Resurrection, commanded his disciples:
“Go forth, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
look now, we pray, upon the face of your Church and graciously unseal for her the fountain of Baptism.
May this water receive by the Holy Spirit the grace of your Only Begotten Son, so that human nature, created in your image and washed clean through the Sacrament of Baptism
from all the squalor of the life of old, may be found worthy to rise to the life of newborn children through water and the Holy Spirit.
May the power of the Holy Spirit, O Lord, we pray,
come down through your Son into the fullness of this font,
so that all who have been buried with Christ
by Baptism into death may rise again to life with him.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
All: Amen
BAPTISM
Spirit Song #287 P.94
O let the Son of God enfold you, with His spirit and His love
Let Him fill your heart and satisfy your soul
O let Him have the things that hold you, and His spirit, like a dove
Will descend upon your life and make you whole
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs
O let the Son of God enfold you, with His spirit and His love
Let Him fill your heart and satisfy your soul
O let Him have the things that hold you, and His spirit, like a dove
Will descend upon your life and make you whole
Will descend upon your life and make you whole
Renewal of Baptismal Promises
P✠: Do you renounce sin, so as to live in the freedom of the children of God?
All: I do.
P✠: Do you renounce the lure of evil, so that sin may have no mastery over you?
All: I do.
P✠: Do you renounce Satan, the author and prince
All: I do.
P✠: Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?
All: I do.
P✠: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered death, and was buried,
rose again from the dead,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father?
All: I do.
P✠: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic Church, the communion of
saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the
body,
and life everlasting?
All: I do.
SPRINKLING WITH HOLY WATER
Water of Life #323 p.106
* Water of life
Cleanse and refresh us
Raise us to life in Christ Jesus
1. All you who thirst
Come to the waters
And you will never be thirsty again
(repeat *)
2. As rain from heav'n
So is God's word
It waters the earth and brings forth life
(repeat *)
3. Dying with Christ
So we shall rise with Him
Death shall no longer have pow'r over us
(repeat *)
4. Turn to the Lord
Cast off your wickedness
You will find peace in His infinite love
(repeat *)
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
OFFERTORY HYMN
By Your stripes #041 P.14
By Your stripes, Lord, I'm healed, hallelujah
In Your word it is revealed, hallelujah
Yes, You bore it all for me on the cross of Calvary
So that now I can go free, hallelujah
P✠: Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters), that my sacrifice and yours be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
All: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.
Prayer Over The Offerings
Accept, we ask, O Lord,
the prayers of your people with the sacrificial offerings, that what has begun in the paschal mysteries may, by the working of your power, bring us to the healing of eternity.
Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
P✠: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit.
P✠: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
P✠: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right and just.
P✠: It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, at all times to acclaim you, O Lord..... , as they acclaim:
Sanctus
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
P✠: You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the….
At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his Passion, he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,
FOR THIS IS MY BODY,
WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
P✠: In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice and, once more giving thanks, he gave it to his disciples, saying:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,
FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT, WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY
FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
P✠: The mystery of faith.
All: We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
P✠: Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of his Death and Resurrection,.....
P✠: Through him, and with him, and in him,
O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
P✠: At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:
All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
P✠: Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
All: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever.
P✠: Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
P✠: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
All: And with your spirit.
P✠: Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
Agnus Dei
All: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
P✠: Lord Jesus Christ,....
P✠: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
All: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
COMMUNION HYMN
For the beauty of the earth #083 P.27
1. For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies
For the love, which from our birth
Over and around us lies, over and around us lies
Lord of all, to Thee we praise, this our joyful hymn of praise
2. For the beauty of each hour, of the day and of the night
Hill and vale, and tree and flower
Sun and moon and stars of night, sun and moon and stars of night
Lord of all to Thee we praise, this our joyful hymn of praise
3. For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child
Friends on earth, and friends above
For all gentle thoughts and mild, for all gentle thoughts and mild
Lord of all to thee we praise, this our joyful hymn of praise
4. For each perfect gift of Thine, to our race so freely given
Graces, human and divine, Flow'rs of earth and buds of heav'n
Flow'rs of earth and buds of heav'n
Lord of all, to Thee we praise, this our joyful hymn of praise
This our joyful hymn of praise
Be still for the presence of the Lord
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The Holy one is here
Come bow before him now
In reverence and fear
In Him no sin is found
We stand on Holy ground
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The Holy one is here.
Be still for the glory of the Lord
Is shinning all around
He burns with Holy fire
With splendor He is crowned
How awesome is the sight
Our radiant King of light
Be still for the glory of the Lord
Is shining all around.
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place
He comes to cleanse and heal
To minister His grace
No work too hard for Him
In faith receive from Him
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place.
Prayer After Communion
P✠: Let us pray (pause)
Pour out on us, O Lord, the Spirit of your love,
and in your kindness make those you have nourished
by this paschal Sacrament
one in mind and heart.
Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
P✠: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit.
Solemn Blessing
P✠: Bow down for the blessing.
(The Priest, with hands extended over the people, says the blessing.)
P✠: May almighty God bless you
through today’s Easter Solemnity
and, in his compassion,
defend you from every assault of sin.
All: Amen.
P✠: And may he, who restores you to eternal life in the Resurrection of his Only Begotten,
endow you with the prize of immortality.
All: Amen.
P✠: Now that the days of the Lord’s Passion have drawn to a close,
may you who celebrate the gladness of the Paschal Feast come with Christ’s help, and exulting in spirit,
to those feasts that are celebrated in eternal joy.
All: Amen.
P✠: And may the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, ✠ and the Holy Spirit,
come down on you and remain with you for ever.
All: Amen.
P✠: Go in peace, the Mass is ended, alleluia, alleluia.
All: Thanks be to God. alleluia, alleluia.
RECESSIONAL HYMN
Let the river run
Coming to the edge running on the water…
Come!
Let the river run
Let all the dreamers wake the nation
Come, the New Jerusalem
Silver cities rise
The morning lights
The streets that meet them
And sirens call them on with a song.
It's asking for the taking
Trembling, shaking
Oh, my heart is aching
We're coming to the edge
Running on the water
Coming through the fog
Your sons and daughters
Let the river run
Let all the dreamers wake the nation
Come, the New Jerusalem
Silver cities rise
The morning lights
The streets that meet them
And sirens call them on with a song.
Coming to the edge running on the water…
Come!
