As we continue the countdown to Easter — 10 days until the Vigil! — it’s heartening and inspiring to read about those who are making the journey toward that baptismal font. The St. Anthony Messenger has a great piece this month about what that pilgrimage is like:

Spring—a time for new beginnings. Twenty-three people with whom I have had the privilege of walking on their journey of faith have prepared for the night that will change their lives—the Easter Vigil. They have spent time in a process of prayer and classes to discern for themselves whether the Catholic religion will be the way in which they will express and live their life of faith.

It is dusk—8:00 on the night before Easter. At the front doors of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Clovis, California, parishioners have gathered around a large copper tray in which a fire is crackling. As the flames produce sparks and popping sounds, Father Robert Borges, our parish administrator, blesses the Easter fire and lights the three-foot-tall paschal candle. Our newly ordained permanent deacon, Gary Stevens, holds the candle high and begins the ancient acclamation, “Christ, our Light. Thanks be to God.”

Following him in procession, everyone walks into the dark church. As the acclamation is sung three times, the flame of the paschal candle is used to light the small candles that are being held by each person in the church. In a matter of moments, the completely dark church is bathed in soft candlelight.

The Exultet is sung a capella by Father Robert as everyone stands during this Easter proclamation while holding their candles—everyone, except for 16 nervously excited people. These are the catechumens—the elect who are going to be baptized Catholic tonight. They are standing, but in a small area of darkness, for they have not yet received the Light of Christ. They listen as the mysteries of God are sung in wonder and awe.

The Exultet is finished, and the candles are extinguished and collected. The people settle in their pews and darkness envelops them once again. It is time to hear seven specially selected Scripture readings from the Old Testament.

Beginning with the story of creation, salvation history is retold again tonight as it has been on this night for many centuries. Psalms are interspersed with the proclamation of the Scripture readings. They are sung in much the same way as our ancestors sang before us—“As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God” (Psalm 42:1). They evoke wonder.

Read the rest of the journey and savor all the sensations that go with joining the Church during this beautiful time.

H/T to the increasingly interesting CNS News Hub.