As we have reflected throughout this week, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil together form one continuous liturgy: the Sacred Paschal Triduum. Tonight’s Vigil is not simply “another Mass,” but the luminous culmination of the Church’s waiting, watching, and praying as we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord.
For pastoral musicians, the Easter Vigil demands not more music, but deeper musical judgment. Every sung moment carries theological weight, ritual purpose, and emotional resonance.
The Vigil unfolds in four movements:
- Lucernarium (Service of Light)
- Liturgy of the Word
- Baptismal Liturgy
- Liturgy of the Eucharist
Resist the pressure to shorten, rush, or apologize for this liturgy. Let the Vigil be the Vigil – a holy night shaped by patience, proclamation, silence, and song.
1. Lucernarium: Music that yields to mystery
The Service of Light is not the moment to “set a tone” musically. It is the moment to get out of the way. The blessing of the fire, the procession of the Paschal Candle, and the chanting of the Exsultet are among the most powerful ritual actions of the entire liturgical year.
Musicians serve this moment best through restraint. The Exsultet needs silence around it, not competition. Let the darkness, the flame, and the ancient chant do the preaching.
2. Liturgy of the Word: Let God speak!
Seven Old Testament readings trace salvation history from creation to promise, from exile to hope. Resist the temptation to “keep things moving.” This is a night when time expands.
Communities may sing each assigned Responsorial Psalm, use a common psalm, or observe sacred silence. Each approach is legitimate – but musicians should choose what best sustains prayer and attentiveness. Silence, when intentional, is not a failure; it is a form of proclamation.
Here are the suggested settings from Spirit & Psalm:
After the First Reading from Genesis 1 Psalm 33: The Earth Is Full of the Goodness of the Lord (Dana Catherine)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 142
After the Second Reading from Genesis 22 Psalm 16: You Are My Inheritance, O Lord (Paul Hillebrand)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 144
After the Third Reading from Exodus Exodus 15: Let Us Sing to the Lord (Curtis Stephan)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 146
After the Fourth Reading from Isaiah 54 Psalm 30: I Will Praise You, Lord, for You Have Rescued Me (PJ Anderson)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 148
After the Fifth Reading from Isaiah 55 Isaiah 12: You Will Draw Water Joyfully (Curtis Stephan)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 152
After the Sixth Reading from Baruch Psalm 19: Lord, You Have the Words of Everlasting Life (Scot Crandal)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 154
After the Seventh Reading from Ezekiel (if baptism is celebrated) Psalm 42: Like a Deer that Longs for Running Streams (Timothy R. Smith)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 156
After the Seventh Reading (if baptism is not celebrated) Psalm 52: Create a Clean Heart in Me (Sarah Hart)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 162
Common Psalm Option Psalm 136: God’s Love Is Everlasting (Ken Canedo)
Spirit & Song #96
Psalm 136 is the common psalm of the Easter Vigil, for use after any or all the readings. If you choose this option, consider spreading out the verses out from reading to reading and observing occasional silence instead of song.
Immediately after the seventh Responsorial Psalm, the Glory to God is sung.
The sudden return of the Glory to God – with bells, light, and sound – is one of the Vigil’s great musical shocks. This moment only works if musicians have honored restraint beforehand.
After the Epistle from Romans Psalm 118/Alleluia: Give Thanks to the Lord for He Is Good (Josh Blakesley)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 164
Finally, after six weeks, the Alleluia! The Easter Vigil offers a unique hybrid of the Responsorial Psalm and the Gospel Acclamation, and Josh Blakesley’s verbatim setting utilizes the iconic “Ye Sons and Daughters” hymn tune of Easter.
3. Baptismal Liturgy: Music as ritual action
Here, music is not decorative; it is sacramental support. The Litany of the Saints, the Sprinkling Rite, and Confirmation require music that carries prayer, invocation, and communal response. Sing simply, confidently, and with gravity.
Remember: the assembly is watching salvation history unfold in real time.
Baptismal Liturgy Litany of the Saints (John Becker)
Breaking Bread #719
John Becker revised his beloved litany according to the mandate of the Roman Missal, Third Edition.
Rite of Sprinkling (After Renewal of Baptismal Promises) I Saw Water Flowing (Casey McKinley)
Breaking Bread #644
Casey McKinley’s new contemporary setting of the traditional Vidi Aquam has an uplifting Americana feel.
Confirmation Holy Spirit (Ken Canedo)
Spirit & Song #210; Never Too Young #233; Breaking Bread #200
A popular setting for teen Confirmations, the well-known refrain will allow the assembly to watch the liturgical action and support their candidates in song as their pastor confirms them.
4. Liturgy of the Eucharist: Joy without apology
Now, at last, pull out the stops! This is not triumphalism; it is Resurrection joy. Choose music that lifts hearts, supports full participation, and honors the presence of the newly initiated, who receive the Eucharist for the first time.
Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts Put On Christ (Bob Hurd)
Spirit & Song #127; Never Too Young #234
Bob Hurd’s soulful gospel-style anthem has become an Easter season favorite and is especially appropriate on this night when our OCIA friends have literally put on Christ through the waters of baptism.
Easter Vigil Communion Antiphon Christ Our Passover Has Been Sacrificed (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart, Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #87
After an absence on Good Friday, the Antiphons are back! Tonight’s Communion Antiphon from 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 is a reflection on the saving Paschal event: “Christ our Passover has been sacrificed; therefore let us keep the feast with the unleavened bread of purity and truth. Alleluia”
Communion Chant Alleluia! Love Is Alive (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Jesse Manibusan)
Spirit & Song #177
Consider something new for Easter! “Alleluia! Love Is Alive” has an uplifting melody that celebrates the joy of this night.
Sending Forth Hallelujah Is Our Song (Sarah Hart, Sarah Kroger, Josh Blakesley and Trey Heffinger)
Breaking Bread #174
The dismissal of this liturgy and of the whole Triduum is now joyfully proclaimed by our priest or deacon: “Go forth, the Mass is ended! Alleluia! Alleluia!”
Hallelujah is indeed our song. Happy Easter!
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
If you want to use songs that are not in any of the books you have, you can license the songs through ONE LICENSE. Paying for the usage of songs will ensure the Church will have quality songs for years to come.