The Easter Vigil Mass, which celebrates Christ’s Resurrection from the dead, will begin outside with the blessing of the fire at the Easter Fire Hearth on the Cathedral Plaza. The vigil consists of a brief candlelight service and a service of the Word. The Paschal Candle for the year 2023 will be lit for the first time.
Dating from at least the mid-second century, this is one of the oldest Christian celebrations. The Vigil is a culmination of the entire Church year, an encapsulation of the Paschal Mystery and a rehearsal of salvation history in word and song.