BRILL: Exploring sacramentals, signs and symbols at Easter

A Paschal candle is seen at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Spring. (Photo by James Ramos/Herald)

As we journey through the Easter season, immersed in the joy and hope of Christ’s resurrection, we are surrounded by signs and symbols that enrich our faith experience. The Liturgy of the Church is filled with tangible expressions of our faith, imbued with spiritual significance and grace.

From the Paschal Candle, ablaze with the light of Christ, to the sprinkling of holy water, each tangible expression invites us into a deeper encounter with God’s presence. These outward signs point us toward the divine reality they represent, stirring our hearts to reverence and awe. Let’s joyously delve into these sacred elements to deepen our connection with the mysteries we celebrate.

Take, for example, the Paschal Candle, a towering symbol of Christ’s victory over sin and death. Adorned with the cross, the Alpha and Omega, and the current year, it proclaims the victory of our Risen Lord in our day. Lighting this candle at the Easter Vigil and keeping it ablaze throughout the season reminds us of Christ’s continuous presence in our lives, dispelling darkness and kindling hope.

But these signs and symbols are not mere decorations; they are vehicles of grace, conduits of God’s love and mercy. The sprinkling of holy water is often done throughout the Easter season. The Church recommends this practice because the practice recalls our baptismal promises, the cleansing us of sin, and invigorates us to renew our commitment to Christ. As the water cascades over us, we are reminded of the living waters that flow from Christ’s side, washing away our sins and refreshing our souls.

There are also special prayers that abound through the Easter season. At every Mass during the Easter octave and on Pentecost Sunday, Mass concludes with the “Double Alleluia.” The double Alleluia resounds with jubilation, echoing the joy of Christ’s resurrection and the promise of eternal life. Even if we are not the best singers, this exultant refrain rings out, lifting our hearts in praise and thanksgiving. The use of the double Alleluia, as well as the Easter sequence, “Victimae Paschali,” and the special formulas inserted into the Eucharistic Prayers during the days of the octave, are ways of emphasizing the importance of the feast and prolonging its celebration.

The season is concluded with the Solemnity of Pentecost. The extended form of the Vigil Mass for Pentecost, recently revived in the Third Edition of the Roman Missal, invites us to enter into a profound experience of waiting and watching for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Like Mary and the Apostles gathered in the Upper Room, we anticipate anew the Father’s gift promised by the risen Son. Mirroring the Easter Vigil with extra readings, prayers and sacred rituals, we prepare our hearts to receive the transformative power of the Spirit, renewing our commitment to live as joyful witnesses of the Gospel.

As we embrace these signs and symbols during the Easter season, let us open our hearts to the grace they convey. And as we await the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, may our faith in the Risen Lord be enkindled anew, filling us with the fire of God’s love and empowering us to spread the good news to all the world. 

Adam Brill is the director of the Office of Worship.