Alleluia, He is Risen!

This was the message of Archbishop Romulo Valles, D.D. during the Easter Vigil held Saturday evening, April 15, at the San Pedro Cathedral, Davao City.

His Easter greeting was met with thunderous applause from the congregation gathered to celebrate one of the Catholic’s biggest and holiest Eucharistic celebration of all time. God’s joyful presence can be seen on the faces of people who grieved during the week-long commemoration of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. They clapped their hands upon hearing the Easter greetings of the Archbishop.

“Mao kini ang gabii kanus-a gilugti ni Kristo ang talikala sa kamatayon” (This is the night where Christ broke the chain over death), Archbishop Valles emphasized in the Psalm read during the celebration.

The Easter Vigil started with the blessing of the fire in front of the cathedral followed by the entrance of the Archbishop with the solemn chant “Si Kristo atong kahayag” (Christ, Our Light) with the people responding “Salamat sa Dios” (Thanks be to God).

A renewal of the baptismal vow was made during the celebration. The event got an added significance with the baptism of seven catechumens who lived in the different areas of Davao City.

Jedine Lange, 28 years old from Panacan cannot contain her joy after being baptized by Archbishop Valles. “I am very happy. I cannot explain the inner joy that I experienced after my baptism,” she said.

She encouraged others like her to go back to the Church, be baptized and be with Jesus and His Mother Mary.

“Our faith is useless if Jesus did not rise from the dead,” Archbishop Valles stressed. (Danilo Escabarte | Volunteer)