OCIA Session 25 Supplement - Easter Vigil Reflections - Sharing sacramental experiences

The Easter Vigil is unlike any other night of the year. It is a night of fire and water, of silence and song, of darkness and dazzling light. It is the night when the Church rejoices because death has been defeated and Christ has risen. For those who received the sacraments at the Vigil, it is the night of a new beginning - when you passed from death to life, from old ways to new creation, from being a seeker to becoming fully part of Christ’s Church.

Think back to the beginning of the liturgy. The church was dark, silent, and waiting. A single flame pierced the darkness - the Paschal Candle, symbolizing Christ the Light of the World. That flame spread from candle to candle until the entire church glowed with light. John 1:5 tells us, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” In that moment, you saw with your own eyes what it means that Christ has conquered death and sin. Your candle was not just a piece of wax - it was a reminder that Christ’s light now burns in you.


Then came the readings. One after another, they told the story of salvation - creation, the promise to Abraham, the crossing of the Red Sea, the words of the prophets, and finally the Gospel of the Resurrection. It was like walking through the entire history of God’s love. And then, at the Alleluia, the bells rang, the lights blazed, and the Church shouted for joy: Christ is risen! That joy was not just for the Church as a whole - it was for you personally. Romans 6:4 says, “We were buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” On this night, that Scripture was fulfilled in you.

If you were baptized, you experienced the cleansing waters of rebirth. Your old life, with all its sins, was buried, and you rose as a new creation. The Holy Spirit marked you forever as a child of God. If you were confirmed, you received the gifts of the Spirit, strengthening you to live boldly as a disciple of Christ. If you received the Eucharist for the first time, you tasted the Body and Blood of Jesus, the Bread of Life who sustains you. Each sacrament was not only a moment of grace but also a mission - a call to live as a witness of Christ’s love.

Here’s a humor break: many Catholics say that the Easter Vigil feels like a marathon - long readings, psalms, prayers, baptisms, confirmations, and finally Communion. But unlike a marathon, everyone who participates finishes as a winner. The victory belongs to Christ, and we share in His triumph. The length of the Vigil is not a burden but a feast - because love takes its time.

Now that the sacraments have been celebrated, the Church invites you to reflect on what they mean. A retreat is not just about what happened that night, but about carrying it forward. How do you feel different now? Do you sense peace, joy, strength, or gratitude? Do you feel called to share what God has done in you? Take time to write down your experience while it is fresh. Years from now, you will want to look back and remember what it felt like to stand at the font, to be sealed with the Spirit, to receive the Eucharist for the first time.

Here’s your practical challenge: share your story. Tell a family member, a friend, or a fellow parishioner what this Easter Vigil meant to you. Your witness will encourage others and remind you of God’s grace. Also, commit to living out your baptismal promises daily. Renounce sin, reject evil, and profess your faith in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Make Sunday Mass and the Eucharist the center of your life.

In closing, remember this: the Easter Vigil is not just a memory - it is a beginning. You are now part of the great story of salvation, the communion of saints, the Body of Christ. Jesus has claimed you as His own, and He has given you His Spirit to guide you. Next time, we will reflect on living the Mass - why the Sunday Eucharist is essential for a faithful Catholic life. Until then, rejoice in the gift you have received, and let your heart echo the Easter Alleluia: Christ is risen! He is truly risen!