Hundreds of worshippers gathered at St Mary’s Cathedral on 4 April for the Easter Vigil, led by Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, in a liturgy that moved from darkness to light and silence to proclamation.
The night began in the cathedral forecourt, where crowds assembled for the blessing of the new fire and the Paschal candle. In the cool evening air, Archbishop Fisher prayed over the flame that symbolises the light of Christ, before the candle was lit and carried into the darkened cathedral.
The faithful followed in procession, each holding a small candle and illuminating the vast interior, where the church’s ancient Easter proclamation, the Exultet, was sung, declaring, “O truly blessed night, when things of heaven are wed to those of earth, and divine to the human.”
Music played a central role throughout the three-hour liturgy under the direction of St Mary’s Cathedral’s director of music, Daniel Justin, with the choir leading the congregation through the vigil’s rich and ancient texts.
In his homily, Archbishop Fisher continued the theme he developed across this year’s Triduum, reflecting on the witness of the women who remained close to Jesus through his passion, death and resurrection. While others faltered, he noted, the women stayed, watched and ultimately proclaimed the risen Christ.
Drawing on the Gospel accounts, he said the women were the first at the tomb and the first to encounter the risen Lord. Their fidelity, he suggested, stands in contrast to the hesitation of the disciples and reveals how God can work through those who are “faithful if not fully understanding.”
The vigil also included the reception of nearly 20 catechumens and candidates into the church, part of a wider surge of adult baptisms across Sydney and beyond.
Highlighting the growth of the church, Archbishop Fisher told those preparing to enter full communion, “You are part of a surge of 800 and more adult Catholic newcomers tonight here in Sydney alone, thousands more around Australia and hundreds of thousands around the world tonight.
“It is a truly exciting time to be taken up into the great adventure of God.”
