Please note: this Easter Vigil will be conducted in your own home
These instructions are for those taking part in the vigil, or those considering it.
Preparation:
- choose a comfortable spot to pray, free of distractions
- feel free to light a candle if it helps you meditate, but it is not required
- some use a rosary for prayer, others don’t - this is completely up to you
- if waking up for your vigil, ensure you set your alarm
- spend a minute or two breathing deeply and slowly, listening to God
Vigil Hour
- to maintain the continuous evening vigil, please start your prayer vigil by praying for the person/persons who prayed before you (you don’t need to know their name) - this doesn’t apply if you start at 7pm
- prayer can be aloud or silent
- your prayer over the next hour can be freeform, as the Spirit calls you, or it can be structured; if you prefer a structure, see the notes below
- move if you need to - don’t sit in discomfort
- embrace silence during the vigil - sometimes the spirit calls us to listen
- continue for your full hour
Ending Vigil
- when your hour-long vigil ends, say a prayer for the person who is taking over after you - this doesn’t apply if you finish at 7am
- if you lit a candle, blow it out
- if applicable, go back to bed and sleep well
Prayer Suggestions / Structure
As you enter into the prayer vigil, consider praying for the following:
- your direct family - parents, children, brothers, sisters
- grands - grandparents, grandchildren, great-grands
- extended family - aunts, uncles, cousins
- chosen family - those friends who are as close as family - your pets, too
- everyone at St. John’s - name as many as you can remember, be gentle with yourself if you can only pray for a face because you cannot remember the name
- your work family, if applicable
- health care workers - doctors, nurses, care aids, scientists, etc
- first responders - fire, police, ambulance, armed forces
- everything that is weighing on your shoulders or troubling your heart
- victims of violence, terrorism, abuse
- everyone who is ill - name those you know who are in need of God’s healing
- loved ones who passed away but live on in your heart
- world leaders - mayors, premier, prime minister, King Charles, other countries’ leaders
- people of faith around the world
- the environment and the creatures who share our planet
- everyone taking part in this vigil, or vigils like it around the world
- feel free to add to this list
Photo Credit: Unsplash, Amaury Gutierrez