Catholic Activity: New Fire of Easter

The beginning part of the Easter Vigil is the blessing of the new fire. If allowed in your parish, the family could bring a lantern and light it with the new blessed fire after the vigil and bring it home. With fire prevention, it may not be possible to keep this fire lit throughout the year.

DIRECTIONS

After the Easter Vigil, the Trapp Family joins the other people of their community at the church for the blessing of the new fire and other ceremonies. From the new fire a lantern is lighted and taken home, and from the lantern is lighted the vigil light which stands on the family altar. This light is guarded throughout the year; it should never be allowed to go out until the next Good Friday. Needless to say, the Light represents Christ, the Risen Light of the World.

Activity Source: How to Make Your House a Home by Rev. Bernard Stokes, O.F.M., Family Life Bureau, Washington D.C., 1955