The gospel accounts tell us that Mary of Magdala and other women went to Christ's tomb early in the morning of the first day of the week and found the it empty. Christ had risen before sunrise.

The Easter Candles reminds us of the primordial light which illumined the darkness of creation and the rising sun of Easter morning, but above all Christ the Light which vanquished the darkness of ignorance, sin and death.

The Alpha and Omega (first and last letter of Greek alphabet) means that Christ is the Beginning and End of creation. The five grains of incense represent the wounds of Christ and as the priest inserts them he says:

By his holy
and glorious wounds
may Christ our Lord
guard us
and keep us. Amen.

As the Easter Candle is then carried in procession the priest and people chant:

(Click Exultet to hear it chanted)
Courtesy of Fr. Albert G. Judy, OP

Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing choirs of angels!
Exult, all creation around God's throne!
Jesus Christ, our King is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!

Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor,
radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes for ever!

Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory!
The risen Savior shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
echoing the mighty song of all God's people! ....
(Complete text found in Easter Vigil Liturgy)

Christ answers the perennial questions of mankind.

Why was I born?
Where am I going?
How am I to live to attain my destiny?
What is the meaning of suffering?

In the power of the Spirit Christ enlightens our minds with divine truth and bring us into divine love and life as he said:

"I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life."
(Jn 8:12)