I was talking to someone, the other day, about the Easter Vigil liturgy and the fact that since I was 7 or 8 years old, I have not missed participating in the "holiest" and most "beautiful" night of the Church's year, except in the early time of the COVID pandemic when we did not have it since we were restricted from gathering for the Triduum. While I did the Holy Thursday and Good Friday liturgies that year with only a few helpers present and had them posted for people to watch and participate at home, I chose (in part for practical reasons) not to celebrate the Easter Vigil liturgy. Even if we had been able to livestream it, I don't believe I would have done it because one truly needs to be there to make it the blessing it is meant to be for those who "come" to it. To not gather in the "darkness" outside especially symbolic that night of death, and witness the Easter Candle been marked with symbols of Christ, the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega, to whom all time belongs; and to see the Easter Candle lit and focusing on that flame (light) as we walk behind it in the darkness, would mean missing something that makes the Easter Vigil so special and powerful. Our movements outside of church and inside of church bearing individual candles lit from the Easter Candle speaks to every person there that Christ is OUR LIGHT, who overcame and overcomes the darkness of death. With all the lights in the church turned on after the deacon sings "Christ Our Light" for the third time, we listen to the Easter Proclamation (also known as the Exsultet) as it beautifully proclaims the significance of God's plan of Salvation History and its fulfillment in Jesus Christ especially in and through His passion, death and resurrection. There are other unique visuals and actions for us to see and participate in that night that makes this liturgy "not to be missed" by all Catholics (though we recognize some can't come for health and other impairment reasons). Starting in the dark of night certainly means ending past some of our bedtimes (like me). I would hope that many of us can make this sacrifice out of love for the Lord and the blessings he gives us while we are there. As far as the liturgy being LONG, the Church (and I) would say that any and all time given to the Lord has the potential to bless us and others long after this unique liturgy is ended. I will honestly say at no point, no matter what age I was, did I hesitate to participate in the Easter Vigil because of its length. That speaks among other things of the impact it has made and continues to make on me. It ALWAYS makes me a little sad at the end of the liturgy that I have to wait another year (and this time more than a year, April 19, 2025) to participate in the "The Holiest Night" of the year the Easter Vigil!!! (Please read more about the Vigil in the handout we made available this weekend).