Blessing of Fire, Easter Vigil Mass

More than the cathedral’s capacity – that’s how you can picture out the number of people who were anticipating as they were waiting patiently outside the church for the blessing of fire. While holding their candles, people were chatting happily as they wait in the dark.

When finally it was the time, the archbishop passed by to come out of the church premises holding his staff, some women were discussing how they should have touched it for them to receive a miracle. It’s a bit funny but more awesome and unbelievable, not because miracles seldom happen, but because they believe that they do.

The Easter vigil mass preceded by the blessing of the fire was such a solemn event that people felt so blessed just by being there, witnessing every word, every action.

Entering the church, though a bit dark, people did not mind and still were generally happy to have attended the most important feast. Some if not all did know that the Easter vigil mass is a bit long and tedious because of the number of readings and responsorial psalms, there are actually 7 of them but that night they were reduced to just 5 sets. However long, people did not seem tired but rather hopeful.

Finally when all 5 were through, the Gloria was sung and ALLELUIA was written all over peoples’ faces as they too were nodding in unison with the rhythm. In Archbishop Valles’ homily, he emphasized how important this event was as it marks the culmination of the Holy Week. Commemorating the actual event of the resurrection is the ultimate basis of our faith, our religion, as we believe that Jesus conquered the most difficult challenge of all time, that thing we most fear about: he won over it.