BRIDGEPORT— The Easter Vigil is a night to celebrate that the “waters of Baptism have set us free,” even at a time when many people are overcome with fear and anxiety, said Bishop Frank J. Caggiano at the Easter Vigil Mass that was live-streamed from St. Augustine Cathedral.
“This is the night of our victory, of our hope and encouragement, particularly this Easter with all of its challenges, suffering , loneliness and tears. The waters may be rising around us but they will not drown us, they will not take us. The risen Lord will set us free,” he said.
Once again, as he has been throughout Holy Week, the Bishop was assisted by St. Augustine Pastor, Fr. Michael Novajosky, and the priests of the Cathedral parish. The sacred music was played and sung by the Cathedral choirmaster Dr. Sam Schmitt.
“My dear brothers and sisters, on this most sacred night in which our Lord Jesus passed over from death to life, the Church calls on its sons and daughters scattered throughout the world to come together to watch and pray. If we keep the memorial in this way, listen to word, celebrate his mysteries, we will have hope of sharing his triumph over death and living with him in God,” said the Bishop to begin the liturgy.
The Paschal Candle gleamed throughout the Mass in the Cathedral emptied by the pandemic. At its base was a quiet and simple arrangement of Easter lilies and multi-colored hydrangea.
On a night in which the faithful would normally renew their Baptismal Promises together in the Cathedral and adult catechumens would gather in person to be received into full communion with the Church through their Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist, the Bishop reflected on the significance of water and the gift of Baptism in our lives.
He began by recalling a trip to Coney Island he took with his uncle and his father when he was a young boy. His uncle had promised to teach him how to swim as they waded waist deep in the water.
“He unexpectedly picked me up and threw me into water and thought I would float. I was overcome with fear and it caused me to panic, and I found myself under the waves,” he said.
“I remember trying to breathe and the only thing I could do was gasp for air until a hand reached down and dragged me out of the water. That breath I took as I emerged from the waters of Coney Island was the deepest breath I have ever taken.”
The Bishop said that when he celebrates the Easter Vigil, he often remembers “that one incident, and that one breath” he took, because we may all find ourselves gasping for air at some point in our lives.
“None of us is a stranger to waters that threaten us and lead to fear anxiety, suffering, and doubt,” he said, noting that people can feel overwhelmed.
“We are living in such time where many are struggling, where the boat of our lives is letting in water, and some feel as if they are downing. This is the night where Christ reaches deep down into those waters and draws up to breath his life of grace.”
“The waters of baptism bring us the promise that no matter how deep the waves, how big the storm, the hand of Jesus has grasped us in Baptism, and he will never let go. We are in the hands of the father who has made us his sons and daughters, given us breath of his spirit, and allowed us to share in victory on this holy night.”
The Bishop said that while suffering, loss and death are inevitable in every life, the resurrection is our hope in Jesus, “the first born, who has gone before us, and has broken the back of suffering and death for all eternity.”
Though we will always will be acquainted with suffering, “we sing our Alleluia because we have had the courage go to go Calvary first, to sit with Lord in his passion and death and even in the quiet of his burial.”
He said that the promise of Baptism is that “the breath of this life that will one day fail for all of us is replaced by breath that will last forever– God indwelling in us the breath of eternal life.”
The Liturgy of the Word included seven Old Testament readings from Genesis, Exodus and the Prophets that recall God’s saving deeds throughout salvation history. They were followed by St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans and the Luke’s account of the Resurrection.
In the Prayers of the Faithful, Fr. Novajosky prayed for Pope Francis and Bishop Caggiano, for persecuted Christians, for “healing for all those who are sick,” and a “strength and health” for all those caring for them, and for the catechumens who would normally be received into the Church during the Easter Vigil.
Before he gave the final blessing, the Bishop thanked all those who watched online and wished them and their families a “happy, blessed and health-filled” Happy Easter.
“There are still challenges ahead of us, and they may at time seems daunting. We must remember that Christ is victorious and we will be victorious in him. Just reach out and grasp his hand and he will do the rest.”
