Letter of April 28, 2006

Our Risen Savior Shines Upon Us
The Most Reverend Carl F. Mengeling, Bishop of Lansing

A powerful symbol that reminds us of the Resurrection of Jesus from death to life and our new life in him graces our Churches for the FIFTY days of Easter. The Paschal Candle will stand in a prominent place in our sanctuary.

This symbol of the Risen Christ was solemnly blessed and lit from the Easter fire at the start of the Easter Vigil in each of our Churches. This ancient blessing of the Easter Candle at the Church entrance is rich in word and symbol about this central truth of our faith.

On the beeswax cross, usually in strong and brilliant colors is a cross. Between the arms of the Cross are the numbers of this year of Our Lord 2006. Above the cross is the first Greek letter - ALPHA - and below the final - OMEGA.

As the celebrant marks each symbol with a metal stylus he proclaims: Christ yesterday and today, the beginning and the end, Alpha, and Omega; all time belongs to him and all the ages: to him be glory and power through every age for ever.

Then the Candle was lit from the new Easter Fire with these words: May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

The procession forms and the candle begins its way into the dark church. The procession through the church pauses twice and finally at the head of the sanctuary. Each time the celebrant proclaimed: "Christ, Our Light".

The darkness was gradually overcome as people lit their candles from the Easter light. Finally a brilliant sea of lights illumining each face blazed forth, proclaiming the Resurrection of Christ, the Light of the World.

The Easter Candle will remain in the sanctuary and be lit during all liturgical celebrations in the Easter Season. Then it will be placed in the Baptistery near the Baptismal Font.

As a symbol of the Resurrection of Christ from dead, the Easter Candle will be placed at the head of the casket during a Funeral Mass.

As we see the Paschal Candle’s light, it reminds us of the Risen Christ, light of the world. It reminds us that we have risen with Him and are to walk in the light.

Now we have died with Him during Lent and Holy Week to all that is opposed to the "new Adam" in us; we have left all that belongs to death in the tomb - and have risen with Christ to a new life.

To the women searching for Jesus in the tomb, the angel said: "Why do you search for the ‘Living One’ among the dead? He is not here." We, too, are no longer in the tomb - the power of Christ has liberated us and raised us from the dead in Him.

Our lives are now in solidarity with the One who has won the victory over sin and death. We are risen to a new life. How foolish and futile to return to the tomb. Our very lives are an "ALLELUIA," the glory of God.