The Easter Vigil began with the sound of footsteps in the darkness as the Serving party and the Priests made their way to the back of the church.  The weather had made it impossible to safely light the new fire outside.  The fire was lit from a spark struck from a flint and the words of blessing were spoken. 

The Paschal Candle, having been inscribed with a cross, the date and the symbols Alpha and Omega, was lit from the new fire and, as it was raised, its’ light  caught the faces of the congregation who had been waiting patiently in the darkness of the South Aisle.  The Candle moved to the area of the font where the first proclamation was made and more candles were lit. 

As it moved towards the centre of the Church, for the second proclamation, light streamed out behind it from the candles carried by the people.  At the head of the nave, the candle was proclaimed a final time, placed in its’ stand, which was decorated with flowers, whilst the priest stood at the lectern and sang the Exultet.  Light began to spread throughout the church as the Servers lit first the red votive lamps  near the statues and shrines and all altar candles.  The priest left the lectern, genuflected to the Paschal candle and having censed it, moved to the Sanctuary.  The organ sounded, all the lights in the church were switched on and the Gloria in Excelsis was sung.

Following the Liturgy of the Word, the Candle was solemnly processed to the Font in order to bless the water.  After prayer the Candle was lowered three times into the water-filled Font, and finally held in the water.  The water, which was disturbed by the plunging of the candle spilt over the sides of the Font.  The rite ended with the people, who had renewed their baptismal promises, being sprinkled with the newly blessed water. 

At the end of the Solemn Mass, the Blessed Sacrament was restored to the Tabernacle and, as the door was closed, the sanctuary bell was rung to indicate the presence of the Risen Lord.