The Liturgy Question: Turning on the Lights at the Easter Vigil

The Liturgy Question: Turning on the Lights at the Easter Vigil

Question

What is the right time to turn on the lights during the Easter Vigil? Before the Exsultet or during the Gloria? (Fr. P., USA)

Brief Response

According to the rubrics, the lights in the church are turned on before the singing of the Exsultet. On the other hand, the lights (candles) on the altar are turned on at the Gloria. The rubrics in Roman Missal for the Easter Vigil n. 15, notes:

* …Then the Deacon places the paschal candle on a large candlestand prepared next to the ambo or in the middle of the sanctuary. And lights are lit throughout the church, except for the altar candles.

All the same, there is also an ancient tradition of not turning on ALL the lights in the church before the Exsultet. Here, majority or let’s say the lights most needed for vision in the church are turned on, whereas some (the lesser lights) remain off till during the intonation of the Gloria when ALL the other lights are now turned on to have maximum (full) visibility inside the Church. This custom is used at the Vigil Mass of the Pope in the St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. It is an option permitted depending on local situations.

Thank you. Please pray for me.

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