An Easter message from Bishop Alan
April 1, 2021
St Mark’s Primary in Ipswich wins language award
April 6, 2021
Five Catechumens and two Candidates became full members of the Church as Bishop Alan Hopes celebrated the Easter Vigil at St John’s Cathedral in Norwich.
In his homily Bishop Alan reflected on our journey from chaos and darkness into the new creation and the light of Easter.
“The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead is the unique event on which the whole of our history turns,” said the Bishop. “That is why we celebrate this Easter light with as much joy and thanksgiving as we can muster.”
The Bishop spoke of the powerful symbols which we use to express the mystery in which we believe.
“First, darkness. We begin our vigil in the dark. Like the chaos and darkness which existed before God created the universe. Like the darkness of the tomb in which Jesus had been buried.
“Second, light. The new fire was kindled, and from the Easter candle, the symbol of the risen Lord, all the candles were lit, and the whole cathedral is ablaze with light. It is as if God had said, all over again, as at the moment of creation, ‘Let there be light.’
“Third, water. We are made part of the new creation, undergoing a new birth through the waters of baptism. We die to our old ways of life and are born again as His children and made members of His body, the Church.”
Unlike the apostles, the Bishop said, we have no need to go and look at the empty tomb.
“For as we gather around His altar, we know that He will be truly present among as again in all His risen glory. As were receive this heavenly food for our earthly pilgrimage, His risen and glorified life fills our lives and heaven is with us long before we are in heaven.”
“The Lord is risen,” Bishop Alan concluded. “He is risen indeed. Alleluia!”
Catechumens are adults who have never been baptised and become members of the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. Candidates are adults who have been baptised in one of the Christian denominations and now become members of the Catholic Church through the Rite of Reception, whereby they will receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
You can see a gallery of pictures from the Easter vigil by clicking on this link, or below.
Pictured above is Bishop Alan baptising a catechumen at this year’s Easter vigil
