I've been busy all week with tax season coming to an end, but last
Saturday night, our Triduum ended with a grand finale that's always
worth a joyous celebration!
We gather in silence as the Easter Candle is lighted and is brought
in with the vocal fanfare, "Christ Our Light." Our "Thanks Be To
God" reaffirms our belief in the Risen Christ. As we light our
candles in silence and listen to the Exsultet, we rise feel ourselves
rising with Christ. The Vigil is our Passover Feast, which, in the
Proclamation's words, "restores lost innocences, casts out hatred,
and brings sinners joy."
As we sing the "Gloria," we hear the bells ring out and the organ
proclaim the rebirth of Easter. It is a wonderful affirmation of joy
which is punctuated beforehand by the liturgy of the word, in which
we hear God's story of his salvation of his peoples.
For years, our choir has performed the Taize Surrexit Christus during
the Easter liturgies, but this year, we opted for the psalms listed
in the missal. Eric, our choir director since January, is planning
to get the choir to perform the Faure Requiem next Palm Sunday
night. That will be a real challenge!
Prior to blessing the sacred water for baptism, the Litany of the
Saints, sung in various settings, either by chant or by composition,
calls the Holy company of Heaven to send their abundant blessings on
the waters of rebirth. Songs that accompany this may
include "Springs OF Water," "We Have Put On Christ," and "We Are
God's Work of Art." In places where the Latin tridentine rite is
used, a full array of psalms are performed, calling us to bless God
and give him glory and praise.
The marriage feast itself, the First Mass of Easter, brings the
saving mystery to a conclusion. Psalm 150 calls upon God's people to
praise him with the musical instruments of Earth and Heaven.
Traiditonal favorites like "O Sons & Daughters" and "Alleluia,
Alleluia," as well as modern hymns like "Rejoice, Jesus Is Risen"
and "Canticle Of The Sun" do justice to the entire Easter Triduum,
giving it a wonderful glimpse of what Heaven can be. And of course,
a new addition to the Easter canon, Bessig's "Easter Fanfare," based
on Palestrina's "The Strife Is Over," has proven a favorite among
choirs and music directors alike, not to mention congregations
worldwide.
And of course, what could be more fitting to close a Triduum
than "Jesus Christ Is Risen Today?" Yes, Easter is truly "the day
God Has Made!" We can also sing songs like "Sing A New Song"
and "Out of Darkness." On Easter Day, we become God's own chosen
people, called out of darkness into his own wonderful light.
Christ Is Risen! Alleluia! He has truly risen, indeed!