The Exultet

Fr. Dale Matson

It is early Easter Morning here as I reflect on this marvelous and ancient hymn of the church. Since we have no singing deacons as Fr. Carlos our dean would say, I elected to sing the Exultet (Easter Proclamation). again this year after a two year hiatus. There is something primordial and mystical about the experience. The The Pascal Candle is lit from a fire and processed by the deacon into a dark church. The congregation follows with candles lit from the Pascal Candle. The deacon is blessed by the bishop (Bishop Eric), and then the censer is handed to the deacon by the thurifer. The deacon censes the Pascal Candle. The deacon then stands before the Pascal Candle and sings the Exultet.

This hymn is a history telling of all of God’s people united by faith. It is also the Gospel message expressing the unity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Anglican Exultet is as follows:

Rejoice now, heavenly hosts and choirs of angels,

and let your trumpets shout Salvation

for the victory of our mighty King.

Rejoice and sing now, all the round earth,

bright with a glorious splendor,

for darkness has been vanquished by our eternal King.

Rejoice and be glad now, Mother Church,

and let your holy courts, in radiant light,

resound with the praises of your people.

All you who stand near this marvelous and holy flame,

pray with me to God the Almighty

for the grace to sing the worthy praise of this great light;

through Jesus Christ his Son our Lord,

who lives and reigns with him,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord be with you.

Answer And also with you.

Deacon Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

Answer It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Deacon

It is truly right and good, always and everywhere, with our

whole heart and mind and voice, to praise you, the invisible,

almighty, and eternal God, and your only-begotten Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who

at the feast of the Passover paid for us the debt of Adam’s sin,

and by his blood delivered your faithful people.

This is the night, when you brought our fathers, the children

of Israel, out of bondage in Egypt, and led them through the

Red Sea on dry land.

This is the night, when all who believe in Christ are delivered

from the gloom of sin, and are restored to grace and holiness

of life.

This is the night, when Christ broke the bonds of death and hell,

and rose victorious from the grave.

How wonderful and beyond our knowing, O God, is your

mercy and loving-kindness to us, that to redeem a slave, you

gave a Son.

How holy is this night, when wickedness is put to flight, and

sin is washed away. It restores innocence to the fallen, and joy

to those who mourn. It casts out pride and hatred, and brings

peace and concord.

How blessed is this night, when earth and heaven are joined

and man is reconciled to God.

Holy Father, accept our evening sacrifice, the offering of this

candle in your honor. May it shine continually to drive away

all darkness. May Christ, the Morning Star who knows no

setting, find it ever burning—he who gives his light to all

creation, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Here is a performance of the Exultet in China demonstrating the universality of this great hymn. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW9G9q3vASU

The Lord is Risen Alleluia.