Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Easter Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington April 19, punctuating the first Holy Week at the church following the completion of extensive renovations.
The liturgy began outside the main entrance with the blessing of the Easter fire, followed by the preparation and lighting of the Pascal Candle. Bishop Burbidge carved into the candle a cross, the Greek letters alpha and omega, and the year 2025, before it was illuminated and used to lead the entrance procession toward the altar.
In his homily, Bishop Burbidge reflected on the virtue of hope, which Pope Francis declared the theme of the Holy Year 2025, and said that the fire and candle are symbols to remind all that, “Jesus Christ, by his cross and Resurrection, is the light who conquered the darkness and defeated the power of sin, suffering, and even death.”
“What does that mean for us? It means that as believers we cannot ever lose hope or give into despair,” he said. “Hear the Lord saying to you tonight: Let go of distress, your old and sinful way of living, reliance on self, and sorrow and find your hope in me. For then joy flourishes, peace abounds, and life changes for the better.”
Scripture readings and prayers were offered in English and in Spanish. As at other Easter Vigil Masses around the diocese, new people were welcomed into the Catholic Church, with the congregation praying the Litany of the Saints for them. At the cathedral’s new font, 10 were baptized and 17 candidates overall were confirmed: John Aiken; John Reed Campbell; Steven Caraman; Daniel Cummings Cronk; Kyla Mackenzie Flannery; Rosemary Isabel Guardado; Francine Gallegos Hamilton Moreno; Callum Edward Kelton; Thomas Albert Magruder; Aurora Elizabeth Marquez; Matthew McClamon; Gaurav Pradeep Parikh; Matthew Grieson Perin; Hank Roser; Maddie Sherilou; Jason Edward Sloan; and Jefri Sair Sales Valdez.
