VATICAN CITY, APR 22, 2000 (VIS) - In St. Peter's Square at 8 p.m. today, the Pope presided at the Easter Vigil during which he administered Baptism and Confirmation to eight catechumens: one each from Cameroon, Italy and Albania, two from China and a father, mother and daughter from Japan.
The vigil began at the obelisk in the square where the Holy Father blessed the new fire and lit the Easter candle which was then carried in procession to the altar while the 'Exultet' was sung. Following this, the Pope presided at a Liturgy of the Word, a Baptismal Liturgy and a Eucharistic Liturgy, concelebrating with 20 cardinals.
"At the Easter Vigil, 'mother of all vigils'," said John Paul II in his homily, "everyone can likewise acknowledge their own personal history of salvation, which has its basic moment in our rebirth in Christ through Baptism. In a very special way, this is your experience too, dear brothers and sisters who are about to receive the Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist."
The Pope indicated that the variety of the catechumens' native countries "points to the universality of the salvation brought by Christ. Soon, dear friends, you will become intimate sharers in the mystery of the love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. May your lives become a song of praise to the Most Holy Trinity and a witness of love which knows no limits."
"Christ is risen!" exclaimed the Holy Father. "So the Church proclaims, at the end of this Easter night, even as yesterday she proclaimed Christ's death on the Cross. It is a proclamation of truth and life. 'Surrexit Dominus de sepulchro, qui pro nobis pependit in ligno, Alleluia!' The Lord, Who for us was nailed to the Cross, is risen from the tomb! Yes, Christ is truly risen and we are witnesses of this."
JPII-HOLY WEEK;HOLY SATURDAY;...;...;VIS;20000426;Word: 330;
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