Light of Christ Surrounds Us! -Part 1

-from the desk of David Orzechowski, Director of Liturgy and Music

“The light of Christ surrounds us! The love of Christ enfolds us!

The power of Christ protects us! The presence of Christ watches over us!”

These words from a song by David Haas paraphrase so well what we hear proclaimed in the “Exsultet”, the “Easter Proclamation”, which is chanted at the beginning of the Easter Vigil every year. All of us stand around the newly-lit Easter candle, each with his or her own candle in hand as we hear the joyful news of the Resurrection proclaimed anew. One cannot but be taken by the splendor and beauty of yet another tall, brand spanking new Easter Candle burning in our midst! Easter has come once again! God has been faithful to the promise of new life in 2010 just as readily as in every year past! What a promise! What a joy to know, experience and celebrate! What a relief after the rigors of Lent!

Our Paschal candle is truly the work of local talent. The candle is made by Dunstan Moorse, O.S.B. of St. John’s Abbey. It is then carved and painting each year by Lee Eisenschenk, one of our parishioners. The old candle is given back to St. John’s so that it can be melted down and the wax used for new candles.) It’s always amazing to see how tall the new candle is. One doesn’t even realize how short the old one had become until the new one arrives! I actually like when the old candle starts to look a little stubby toward the end. It’s a reminder that a lot of praying, a lot of living as church has taken place! Just think of all the baptisms, funerals, weddings, and other special occasions through which the candle has accompanied us! The stubby candle is a good reminder of the passage of time.

The Paschal candle is the principal candle in the sanctuary. It is reminiscent of the pillar of fire that led the Israelites out of slavery. As Christians, Easter is our “Exodus” and the risen Christ is the light behind which we follow. When the Paschal candle’s use is called for, we try to make sure it is lit well before any worshipper even enters the door. This gives the visual impression that it has never really been extinguished since it was first lit at the Easter Vigil. It should immediately welcome anyone who enters the worship space prior to the liturgy.

At the Easter Vigil, the Presider traces the image of the cross on the candle as he says the words:

Christ yesterday and today (as he traces the vertical arm of the cross)
The beginning and the end (the horizontal arm of the cross)
Alpha (the “alpha” sign, above the cross)
and Omega (the “omega” sign below the cross)
All time belongs to him (the first numeral, in the upper left corner of the cross)
and all the ages (the second numeral, in the upper right corner of the cross)
To him be glory and power (the third numeral in the lower left corner)
Through every age for ever (the last numeral in the lower right corner)

The five red nails which contain grains of incense represent the five wounds of Christ. (the crown of thorns, in Christ’s two hands, one in the feet, and his pierced side) I was not able to find exactly why incense is used in the nails. I suspect it has to do with the fact that incense is used in acts of “offering” and is sweet-smelling. Christ’s offering of his body for our salvation is indeed the most fragrant of offerings. Over these red nails, the Presider prays:

By His holy (1)
and glorious wounds (2)
may Christ our Lord (3)
guard us (4)
and keep us. Amen. (5)

Next week: “The Light of Christ Surrounds Us!”, part 2 (a.k.a. “Candles, Candles, Candles!”)