The high altar of our Church of Saints Michael and Gaetan in Florence, prepared for the Easter Vigil.A first-year seminarian prepares the new fire on the church porticoThe stylus and the five grains of incenseThe faithful are gathered around the new fire before the churchArrival of His Eminence Cardinal BurkeBlessing of the New FireCoals lit by the new fire are placed in the censerImposition of incense by the pontiffIncensing of the New FireBlessing of the paschal candle<i>Christ yesterday and today, Beginning and End, Alpha and Omega.</i><i>Through His holy and glorious wounds may Christ the Lord guard and preserve us. Amen</i>The Paschal Candle is about to be lit from the New FireImposition of incense by the pontiffSolemn Entrance of the Paschal Candle into the ChurchProcessional Entrance into the Darkened Church<i>The Light of Christ</i><i>Thanks be to God</i>Placement of the Paschal Candle on its StandThe Deacon Requests the Pontiff's Blessing before Singing the <i>Exsultet</i>Singing of the <i>Exsultet</i>Vesting of the MinistersSinging of the First Lesson recounting the Creation of the WorldThe Pontiff Reads the Lesson from the Throne while it is Sung by a ReaderPrayer-<i>Let us kneel.</i>-<i>Rise.</i>Singing of the Second Lesson recounting the Passage of the Red SeaSinging of the Tract by the ScholaThe Reader Kisses the Pontiff's RingPrayerSinging of the Third LessonSinging of the Fourth LessonThe Reader Kisses the Pontiff's RingProstration of the Pontiff and Ministers during the LitaniesSinging of the LitaniesThe Purple Antependium is Removed from the High AltarA sacristan lights all the candles of the high altarDuring the vesting of the Pontiff, the purple ornaments of the throne are removed and replaced with white ornaments.The purple baldachin is removedEntrance of the ministers for the solemn Mass of the Easter VigilPrayers at the foot of the altar recited by the PontiffImposition of incenseIncensationIntonation of the <i>Gloria</i>All the bells ring outFlowers appear on the high altarThe hangings are spread over the communion railThe ministers at the bench during the singing of the <i>Gloria</i>The Pontiff on the throne during the singing of the <i>Gloria</i>PrayerChanting of the Epistle by the SubdeaconBlessing of the subdeacon by the PontiffThe subdeacon sings: <i>Annuntio vobis gaudium Magnum quod est Allelúia</i>The <i>Alleluia</i> is sung three times by the Celebrant<i>Cleanse my heart</i>The Pontiff reads the Gospel at the throneImposition of incenseChanting of the Gospel by the Deacon<i>Dominus Vobiscum</i>OffertoryIncensationPreface of EasterThe Pontiff reads the <i>Sanctus</i>CanonThe Pontiff goes before the altar for the ConsecrationConsecrationElevationThe pontiff returns to the throne after the ConsecrationSinging of the <i>Confiteor</i><i>Misereatur</i><i>Ecce Agnus Dei</i>Kneeling of the Pontiff during communionCommunion of the seminarians and the Adoring SistersThe Blessed Sacrament is carried back to the chapel where it is keptThe Pontiff reads the Communion antiphonIncensing of the altar during the singing of the <i>Benedictus</i><i>Let Us Pray</i>Prayer<i>Ite, missa est, alleluia, alleluia</i>Pontifical BlessingLast GospelDisrobing of the PontiffDeparture of the PontiffThe Pontiff recollects himself before the Blessed SacramentDeparture of the Pontiff
