We end Thursday in silence, and we begin Friday’s service in silence. The stark simplicity of the altar is echoed by the simplicity of the liturgy, with the reading of the Passion from John’s Gospel, the solemn intercessory prayers, the veneration of the cross, and Holy Communion from the Blessed Sacrament reserved last night. Good Friday is the one day during the year when Mass is not celebrated.

We end our service in darkness and silence. Though we know the end of the story, it does seem as if darkness and evil have triumphed. Friday night and Saturday are solemn as we keep vigil with the Crucified One.
And Then Comes the Morning…

Darkness and evil cannot hold the Lord of All, and our Easter Vigil is a fitting celebration of the triumph of God’s love and power over the power of sin and death. With the blessing of the new fire and the new candle, the proclamation of Easter, the telling of our salvation history through God’s Word, the reception of new members into the church through baptism or profession of faith, the renewal of our own baptismal promises, and the celebration of the Eucharist, the Vigil can go on for three hours or more — and is followed by a reception, because who can sleep after all that excitement?

The Vigil marks the transition from the power of darkness, the power of the prince of this world, to the Power and Love of God. We move from darkness to light; we move from silence to shouts of joy. We return the “Alleluia,” which has not been uttered since before Ash Wednesday — and we sing it and shout it again and again. “Praise the Lord!” “Alleluia!”