VATICAN CITY, APR 19, 2003 (VIS) - At 8 this evening in St. Peter's Basilica, the Pope presided at the solemn Easter vigil during which he administered Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist to seven catechumens from the United States, Italy, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Burundi and Japan.
The vigil began in the atrium of the basilica where the Holy Father blessed the new fire and the Easter candle. After the entrance procession to the altar with the candle and the singing of the "Exultet", the liturgy of the Word, the Baptismal liturgy and the Eucharistic liturgy took place.
During the homily, the Pope spoke of the women who go to the tomb where Jesus' body was laid but do not find Him because He has risen. "This upsetting news," he said, "destined to change the course of history from that moment on, continues to resound from generation to generation: an ancient proclamation, yet always new. It resonates once again during this Easter Vigil, mother of all vigils, and it is spreading at this very moment throughout all the earth."
"Oh sublime mystery of this Holy Night! The night in which we relive the extraordinary event of the Resurrection! If Christ were to have remained a prisoner of the tomb, humanity and all of creation, in a certain way, would have lost their meaning. But you, Christ, are truly risen," he exclaimed.
After recalling that through the sacrament of Baptism "one becomes a member of the people of the redeemed," the Holy Father addressed the seven catechumens who were about to receive the Sacraments of Christian initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist. "Entering in this way into the house of the Lord, you will be consecrated with the oil of happiness and can feed yourselves with the Bread of Heaven. Sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit, you will persevere in your faith in Christ, and courageously proclaim his Gospel."
JPII-HOLY WEEK;HOLY SATURDAY;...;...;VIS;20030423;Word: 330;
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