What is the liturgy of fire and light?

Answer 1

The liturgy of "fire and light" may refer to the first part of the ceremonies for Holy Saturday, also known as the Paschal Vigil. These ceremonies begin with a virgin fire that is enkindled to light the Paschal Candle. The Candle represents Christ, the Light of the World as well as symbolizing His Resurrection and victory over death.

The Paschal Vigil ceremonies are usually scheduled for 10pm so that Mass may begin around 12am on Easter Day. The first ceremony is the blessing of the new fire which is kindled with flint and steel. Local fire codes being taken into account, the fire is made outside in front of the church and the congregation proceeds outside to stand around it. Prayers are said by the priest asking for spiritual enlightenment and illuminating grace and grains of incense are blessed and placed into the Candle, which is also blessed. The Paschal candle is then lit from the fire. A procession forms behind the Paschal candle and enters into the Church, which has been darkened for this purpose. The procession pauses three times on its way when "Lumen Christi" or "the light of Christ" is proclaimed by the priest or deacon bearing the candle.

At the last "Lumen Christi" the Paschal flame is passed to all of the congregation who have been given tapers for this purpose. When the procession finishes, the Paschal candle is placed in a candle holder in the sanctuary, the Church lights are restored, and the priest or deacon then reads or preferably sings the "Paschale Praeconium" or "Easter Laud", although is popularly known as "The Exsultet". This is an ancient song that tells of man's fall, God's guidance through the centuries and man's redemption by Christ. At the completion of this lengthy song, the congregation extinguishes their tapers, thus ending this part of the Paschal ceremony, the liturgy of fire and light.