THE HOLY SATURDAY EASTER VIGIL SERVICE WITH POPE FRANCIS PRESIDING FROM VATICAN CITY

Pope Francis has been leading the Easter Vigil Service in St. Peter's Basilica, for just over two hours; although EWTN announced the starting time as 1 pm Pacific Time, when it actually got underway at 12:30 pm PDT.  This Easter Vigil Liturgy has been trimmed back in order to meet the personal pastoral aim of the Holy Father to keep his Masses short and to the point, whereas past Easter Vigils have lasted about three hours, tonight's celebration is about two and a half hours in length.  A  beautifully carried out Liturgy, that started earlier than scheduled and abbreviate the Service of Light, after the Lighting of the Easter Fire and the Paschal Candle, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults   included the Baptism of four men.  Pope Francis' Easter Vigil Homily was simply spoken, and succinct.  He referred to this night, as one of, "radiant light", and of the "surprise and confusion", of the Apostles at finding the Empty Tomb, in which Jesus had been buried.  He then preached practically, about our own response to the maladies that beset us proclaiming, "Our daily problems and worries can wrap us up in ourselves, in sadness and bitterness, and that is where death is".  And the new Vicar of Christ declaredm "Let the Risen Jesus enter your life, welcome Him as a friend with trust, He is Life !".  Pope Francis will conclude and top off, his first Holy Week and Easter Triduum as Pope as the 266th Successor of St. Peter, by culminating Easter Sunday with the "Urbi Et Orbi", to the, "City And The World", Address and Blessing, from the window of the papal apartment out onto St. Peter's Square.  How many languages he will impart Easter Greetings has not yey been disclosed.............tdp