Eyes into Easter

Since I was received into the Catholic Church in 2002, one of the Easter traditions of our family is to make the journey to Holy Trinity Abbey, New Norcia, with some of our extended family, and our closest friends – aging from 2 to 70! We go to pray with our friends the monks and spend time together but most particularly to participate in the Great vigil of Easter.

Now, at most parishes, the Vigil is celebrated on the Evening prior to Easter Day. Not so with the Monks. It’s early. 4:30 am to be precise. And the Vigil takes a while. Never much short of 2 ½  hours. We hear all the readings of our salvation history, light candles, splash Holy Water around and there is often a Baptism or Reception into the church as well.

As with most liturgy, the Adults have grown into it through the years. We sing, read, play music and are involved in other ways with great thankfulness and privilege. Watching the little ones grow into the liturgy is a greater joy. None of our children can remember a time when they hadn’t attended the Vigil – and as they have grown into it their participation and their prayerfullness has increased.

Initially we would arrange for the children to come over after the Liturgy of the Word (which involved someone running across town to go and get them - but technology has made life much easier!) Now, as their parents suffer the inevitable tiredness of middle age, the children are leading the way – eager to be present for the blessing of the Paschal candle, processing into the church, sitting in silence, joining in the singing, taking a full part in the Ritual actions.

I have had to learn that we don’t have to explain to the children why we are processing or lighting candles or being blessed with water or why the celebrants are wearing rich golden vestments.  They get it. They couldn’t explain it, justify it or theologize it. But it’s there in their faces. The Risen one is somehow very close to them. That’s why they want to be there. That’s the magic, and the mystery, of Liturgy.

Easter is a transformation of our entire being – our hearts, our spirits, our minds. Fine Liturgy and the eyes of children, might just take me there.