An Easter Service of Light – Rejoice! Christ is Risen!

Directed Prayers for Families, Groups, and Individuals by Regina Mater Educational Community

How to Use This Guide (Follow up after Lenten Devotional for the Cross)

This service is written primarily for a group setting, with a presider (who leads the group), a lector (who reads the Scripture), and other congregants gathered for prayer around the cross in your kit. The service is also appropriate for personal meditation in single households. The lit cross makes a beautiful gathering place as day fades into nightfall.

The purple and pink candles which adorned the Lenten cross are now replaced with six white candles. At the given time, the mother or eldest daughter of the family lights the candles. Be sure to tie back any long hair in a pony tail! Younger children may extinguish the candles, also with long hair tied back. A bronze candle snuffer is best suited for this task.

We suggest rotating the lectors among children of reading age in the family setting. Open the Bible to the day’s reading before the service begins. You can also find and print the Scriptures from an online source.

There is a moment in the service for prayers of praise and petition. The presider may end each prayer with “Let us pray to the Lord,” and all respond, “Lord, hear our prayer.” There is also an opportunity to mention favorite saints for their intercession.

Sunday in the Octave of Easter

Presider: In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Presider: Christ is the light.

All: In him there is no darkness.
(The six candles are lit in silence.)

Presider: Christ is risen, alleluia!

All: He is risen indeed. Alleuia, alleluia!

Lector: A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians.
(Read Colossians 3:1-17)

Lector: The Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Presider: Since you have been raised up with Christ,

All: – Set your hearts above, alleluia.

Presider: Your life is hidden in Christ with God.

All: – Set your hearts above, alleluia, alleluia.

Presider: Let us bring our thanksgiving and needs to Christ, our Forgiving Lord.
(Offer prayers of praise and petition. After each, the presider may say, “Let us Pray to the Lord.” And all reply, “Lord, hear our prayer.”)

Presider: Gracious and loving God, we come to you in our weakness, trusting in your mercy and love. Through the prayers of our Blessed Mother and our beloved saints (mention here), help us to forgive each other as Christ forgives us. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

Presider: May the Lord bless us and bring us to everlasting life.

All: Amen.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.