Sunday at Home | Easter Vigil

Resources

Here you can find tonight’s Readings, songs and hymns chosen by our music ministers, Father’s homily, some petitions for us to offer together to God, the Spiritual Communion Prayer and a prayer for during this pandemic. If you are looking for something more, try these resources:

• Our YouTube Channel: This year, St. Joseph the Worker and St. Columbkille are teaming up to broadcast our Triduum services online. We will broadcast the Easter Vigil Mass at 7:00pm on Holy Saturday.
• Archbishop’s Live Broadcast: The Archdiocese will livestream Mass at 7:00pm on Holy Saturday with Archbishop Jackels presiding.
• Magnificat: Head over to Magnificat for a full outline of all the prayers and readings for today’s Mass.
• MagnifiKid: This is a resource to serve as a spiritual guide for kids that include activities and explanations for the readings and rituals of Mass.

The Readings

The Easter Vigil has eight readings, but parishes can choose to use a smaller selection of them. Below are the readings we will use at our parishes’ Easter Vigil Mass. If you would like to check out the rest of the readings, you can find them at usccb.org.

First Reading Genesis 1:1, 26-31a

In the beginning, when God created the universe, God said, “We will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us. They will have power over the fish, the birds, and all animals, domestic and wild, large and small.” So God created human beings, making them to be like himself. He created them male and female, blessed them, and said, “Have many children, so that your descendants will live all over the earth and bring it under their control. I am putting you in charge of the fish, the birds, and all the wild animals. I have provided all kinds of grain and all kinds of fruit for you to eat; but for all the wild animals and for all the birds I have provided grass and leafy plants for food”—and it was done. God looked at everything he had made, and he was very pleased.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 33 – The Earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tERx3yZLO1c)

Second Reading Exodus 14:15 – 15:1

The Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out for help? Tell the people to move forward. Lift up your walking stick and hold it out over the sea. The water will divide, and the Israelites will be able to walk through the sea on dry ground. I will make the Egyptians so stubborn that they will go in after them, and I will gain honor by my victory over the king, his army, his chariots, and his drivers. When I defeat them, the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.”

The angel of God, who had been in front of the army of Israel, moved and went to the rear. The pillar of cloud also moved until it was between the Egyptians and the Israelites. The cloud made it dark for the Egyptians, but gave light to the people of Israel, and so the armies could not come near each other all night. Moses held out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind. It blew all night and turned the sea into dry land. The water was divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on both sides.

The Egyptians pursued them and went after them into the sea with all their horses, chariots, and drivers. Just before dawn the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw them into a panic. He made the wheels of their chariots get stuck, so that they moved with great difficulty. The Egyptians said, “The Lord is fighting for the Israelites against us. Let’s get out of here!”

The Lord said to Moses, “Hold out your hand over the sea, and the water will come back over the Egyptians and their chariots and drivers.” So Moses held out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the water returned to its normal level. The Egyptians tried to escape from the water, but the Lord threw them into the sea. The water returned and covered the chariots, the drivers, and all the Egyptian army that had followed the Israelites into the sea; not one of them was left. But the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on both sides. On that day the Lord saved the people of Israel from the Egyptians, and the Israelites saw them lying dead on the seashore. When the Israelites saw the great power with which the Lord had defeated the Egyptians, they stood in awe of the Lord; and they had faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses.

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, because he has won a glorious victory; he has thrown the horses and their riders into the sea.”

Responsorial Psalm

Exodus 15 – Let us sing to the Lord; He has covered Himself in glory. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mtrdx9V7pmU)

Third Reading Isaiah 55:1-11

The Lord says, “Come, everyone who is thirsty— here is water! Come, you that have no money—buy grain and eat! Come! Buy wine and milk—it will cost you nothing! Why spend money on what does not satisfy? Why spend your wages and still be hungry? Listen to me and do what I say, and you will enjoy the best food of all. Listen now, my people, and come to me; to me, and you will have life! I will make a lasting covenant with you and give you the blessings I promised to David. I made him a leader and commander of nations, and through him I showed them my power. Now you will summon foreign nations; at one time they did not know you, but now they will come running to join you! I, the Lord your God, the holy God of Israel, will make all this happen; I will give you honor and glory.”

Turn to the Lord and pray to him, now that he is near. Let the wicked leave their way of lifeand change their way of thinking. Let them turn to the Lord, our God; he is merciful and quick to forgive. “My thoughts,” says the Lord, “are not like yours, and my ways are different from yours. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways and thoughts above yours.

“My word is like the snow and the rainthat come down from the sky to water the earth. They make the crops growand provide seed for planting and food to eat. So also will be the word that I speak—it will not fail to do what I plan for it; it will do everything I send it to do.”

Responsorial Psalm

Isaiah 12 – You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4baOto9G8oU)

Epistle Romans 6:3-11

Brothers and sisters: Surely you know that when we were baptized into union with Christ Jesus, we were baptized into union with his death. By our baptism, then, we were buried with him and shared his death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from death by the glorious power of the Father, so also we might live a new life.

For since we have become one with him in dying as he did, in the same way we shall be one with him by being raised to life as he was. And we know that our old being has been put to death with Christ on his cross, in order that the power of the sinful self might be destroyed, so that we should no longer be the slaves of sin. For when we die, we are set free from the power of sin. Since we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that Christ has been raised from death and will never die again—death will no longer rule over him. And so, because he died, sin has no power over him; and now he lives his life in fellowship with God. In the same way you are to think of yourselves as dead, so far as sin is concerned, but living in fellowship with God through Christ Jesus.

Gospel Matthew 28:1-10

After the Sabbath, as Sunday morning was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. Suddenly there was a violent earthquake; an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled the stone away, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid that they trembled and became like dead men. The angel spoke to the women. “Do not be afraid,” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has been raised, just as he said. Come here and see the place where he was lying. Go quickly now, and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from death, and now he is going to Galilee ahead of you; there you will see him!’ Remember what I have told you.” So they left the tomb in a hurry, afraid and yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Peace be with you.” They came up to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. “Do not be afraid,” Jesus said to them. “Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Homily

Prayers of the Faithful

Jesus bestows new life on all who call upon him. We lift our needs and those of our world to God’s merciful kindness.

• For all church members to grow in faith and love for one another as we are isolated from normal routines. We pray to the Lord. Risen Lord, hear our prayer.
• For all world leaders and health providers to cooperate in ending the COVID pandemic and reduce the number of deaths. We pray to the Lord. Risen Lord, hear our prayer.
• For a return to gathering as a church family to celebrate Mass and the Sacraments as we enter the Easter season. We pray to the Lord. Risen Lord, hear our prayer.
• For all people in essential services who risk their health and life to provide for our needs and serve those infected. We pray to the Lord. Risen Lord, hear our prayer.
• For a productive and bountiful season for farmers, gardeners and growers to provide food for our nation. We pray to the Lord. Risen Lord, hear our prayer.
• For Don Ruden, James Wahlert, Ralph Schmerbach and all who have died. We pray to the Lord. Risen Lord, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, your great love has overcome death and the grave. Hear our prayers and answer them according to your holy will. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Preparation Song

Christ Be Our Light (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMkfKXLcm5Q)

Communion

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Communion Song

Taste and See (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcn1-9Fg0WA)

Going Forth Song

Jesus Christ is Risen Today (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX6SMezVUbA)

A Prayer for During the Pandemic

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We turn to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.

Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.

In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.

We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.

Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.