I’ve mentioned that my son attends a once a week atrium of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (or CGS). I’m also finishing my Level I training, but also use Moira Farrell’s albums from Our Father’s House.

Tomorrow at my son’s atrium we are celebrating the Liturgy of Light with all the school, parents and siblings. And I am singing part of the Exsultet. I’m not going to think about being nervous. I’ve been practicing and it’s only the first 3 stanzas. My forte isn’t singing (my mother and other siblings have the voices), but nevertheless, I offered to help the catechist, and this was my assignment. I’d appreciate prayers that I can be heard and stay on key.

I LOVE the Exsultet, and I like having a chance to actually sing it, without being improper since I’m not a deacon or priest (or a man, for that matter). I’ve bookmarked some Exsultet sites that have RealAudio, MP3, and midi recordings. There is also sheet music available.

The title of our liturgy at the atrium echoes the same Liturgy of Light or Service of Light from the Easter Vigil, the Church’s Liturgy Par Excellence. The whole school will come together to celebrate the feast of all feasts, the triumph of Christ over sin and death.

The celebration isn’t replacing the real Easter Vigil, but presenting the liturgy in all its realism at the child’s level. This applies to all the presentations with CGS. The child is given an opportunity to experience through his senses elements of the Liturgy at his level. So many times there are things we can’t see, hear, or touch while we are in the pew, especially the young child, to whom everything is giant size and so far away. What I love most is that it is not a watering or dumbing down, but reverently presenting elements of the liturgy so that the child can be an active member of the Church. It’s not play time, nor is it the true Liturgy. It is a closer examination on an intimate level for the child.

A child’s temperament is perfect to keep the resurrection in the present moment for all 50 days of the Easter season. My son wants to hear the same stories, do the same things over and over until it’s seared in his memory. So while Easter was two weeks ago, it is perfectly lined with the Liturgical season to keep studying the beauty of our Easter liturgy.

For more about the Liturgy of Light and CGS, there is brief mention and information in The Good Shepherd and the Child: A Joyful Journey and The Religious Potential of the Child. It isn’t included in the albums from Our Father’s House. It is really not a presentation, but more of a celebration. It is presenting in miniature the Liturgy of Light to the children, to bring home the message that Christ our Light has risen.

The idea of presenting or going over the liturgy isn’t original. Before the Easter Vigil my son and I decorated our home Paschal candle, going over the words Father would say as he carved the candle. I used this as a guideline, which was taken from a textbook for Catholic schools. 

For more help on the Paschal candle, there are other websites that have great information, as you can see in my Paschal Candle del.icio.us bookmarks. I used HearthSong’s candle markers, and next year I hope to cut out of the wax sheets some designs, like the cross. There is also another candle painting medium for those that are really artistic.

I’m sharing a few notes about the Liturgy of Light, but this isn’t an exact presentation. At the beginning everyone will gather in darkness in the back of the room, and the opening prayer is said, as in the Easter Vigil. (I found a wonderful pdf print-out of the whole Easter Vigil.)

Dear friends in Christ,
on this most holy night,
when our Lord Jesus Christ passed from death to life,
the Church invites her children throughout the world
to come together in vigil and prayer.
This is the Passover of the Lord:
if we honor the memory of his death and resurrection
by hearing his word and celebrating His mysteries,
then we may be confident
that we shall share His victory over death
and live with Him for ever in God.

The Paschal candle is carved, with these words. Then it is lit, and these words are said:

May the light of Christ, rising in glory,
banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.

The procession follows, which includes everyone behind the candle, which represents Christ. The candle is raised and “Christ Our Light” and the response “Thanks be to God” is sung 3 times.

It depends when you want everyone’s candles to be lit. This is the point in the liturgy, but it could be done after the Exsultet and readings and a few songs. A special touch at the atrium is each candle is lit and given individually to the child, “N____, receive the light of Christ.” Because this is presented to young children with real candles, it might be wiser to postpone the lighting until later. Votive candles are another option instead of the usual tapers at church. After viewing the Easter Vigil with Pope Benedict XVI, I noticed the congregation used vigil candles with a grated lid. Tapers are just passe at the Vatican, I guess!

Then the Exsultet is sung. It could be the entire prayer, but we chose to do only the first 3 stanzas.

Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing choirs of angels!
Exult, all creation around God’s throne!
Jesus Christ, our King is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!

Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor,
radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes for ever!

Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory!
The risen Savior shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
echoing the mighty song of all God’s people!

Various readings from the Vigil can be read, particularly the Resurrection story from the Gospel, and various hymns or songs (with lots of Alleluias) can be included. This incorporates the Liturgy of the Word from the Vigil, also.After some quiet contemplation, maybe spontaneous prayer and singing, a version of the prayer from the Mass is prayed:

Accept this Easter candle, a flame divided but undimmed, a pillar of fire that glows to the honor of God.

Let it mingle with the lights of heaven and continue bravely burning to dispel the darkness of this night!

May the morning Star which never sets find this flame still burning: Christ, that Morning Star, who came back from the dead, and shed his peaceful light on all mankind, your Son who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

Candles are extinguished, perhaps there can be a recessional song,  and a simple feast for everyone in another room.

My son and I are looking forward to the celebration tomorrow. May the risen Christ bring you joy and peace during this Easter season.