Saint Peter's Point- The Catholic Blog of Saint Peter Parish, Stevens Point Wisconsin

At the Easter Vigil, the Church represents the mystery of the light of Christ in the sign of the Paschal candle, whose flame is both light and heat. The symbolism of light is connected with that of fire: radiance and heat, radiance and the transforming energy contained in the fire -- truth and love go together. The Paschal candle burns, and is thereby consumed: The cross and the resurrection are inseparable.

Pope Benedict XVI, homily Easter Vigil 2009

Easter Vigil starts with the Service of Light. At sundown, outside the church, a fire is lit and blessed, and the Easter Candle, which will be used throughout the year, is marked with the wounds of Christ. It symbolizes Christ, who is the light of the world. The candle is lit from the flame of the blessed fire, and from it tapers held by each member of the congregation are also lit. It calls to mind the day of baptism, when the newly baptized received the Light of Christ from the Easter Candle.



The church is dark, but slowly it becomes lit by the flames of candles as the members of the congregation pass the flame from one to another.



Fr. Keith Kitzhaber, chaplain of Pacelli and St. Peter's Middle School, in residence at St. Peter's, reads the gospel.

The blessing of the holy water:


The priest, Father Kevin C. Louis, blesses the entire assembly with Holy Water while the choir sings Vidi Aquam.


At St. Peter's, a veritable battalion of altar servers turn out for the highest feasts. Here they kneel before the altar during the Eucharistic prayer:



The final procession. Everyone sings, Jesus Christ is Risen Today.

We celebrate with great joy the Risen Jesus. We invite you to listen to the chants and hymns of the Easter Triduum.

In addition, Father Louis's inspriational homilies are available below:

Holy Thursday

Good Friday

Easter Vigil

Easter Sunday