Fledgling faith inspires renewal One Easter, my brother Andrew bought two ducklings for his girlfriend. Her mom was not excited by the gift, so the birds came to live with us. Through the spring and summer we fed, watered, and chased the ducklings as they grew. Duck was a mallard; Ducky Duddle turned out to be a lovely white goose that my dad anticipated enjoying for Christmas dinner. When fall arrived, Duck joined a flock heading south, and Ducky Duddle fell victim to a fox, ending the family debate over the appropriateness of butchering a pet. Nonetheless, each spring someone brings the birds to the family conversation, recalling the excitement of nurturing and watching them grow. Ducklings, bunnies, and chicks represent spring and its promise of growth and life. So also do our catechumens and the symbols of water and light that we use to initiate them. They come to us as fledglings, seeking support and care from our faith community. At the Easter Vigil, as catechumens are baptized into Christ’s life and light, we recall our own experiences of initiation and renew our own commitment to Christ: rejecting Satan, embracing the Creed, and sharing in the sacred meal that unites and nourishes the Body of Christ. Jesus says, “I am the light of the world” (Jn 8:12) and “I am the bread of life” (Jn 6:35), echoing the name of the Lord revealed to Moses: I Am. Meeting with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, Jesus promises that “the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (Jn 4:14). As the waters of baptism cleanse us, we encounter new life and a life-long promise of Christ’s companionship and sustenance as we journey toward and with the Light of the World. These symbols of light, bread, and water demand prominence during the Easter season. Lilies and other spring flowers are dependent on light and water for survival and justly adorn our churches during this season, but their chief purpose should be to call attention to the essential symbols of light and water. All who enter the church for the Easter Vigil, and throughout the 50 days of Easter, should be visually drawn to the baptismal font, the paschal candle, and — as always — the altar. During Easter, the baptismal font should be prominent and accessible for the baptisms that may be celebrated. Even if no baptisms are to be celebrated at your Easter Vigil, the font should be a focal point. Consider positioning hooks in the wall behind or the ceiling above the font so that fabric can be draped in ways that call attention to the font without obscuring it. White is the liturgical color for Easter; shop for fabrics that are translucent or shot with iridescent, silver, or gold threads and that drape well. Gold or silver ribbons or fabrics can be added as accents. Station free-standing banner poles or tall candle stands nearby and use them as foundations for ribbon streamers. Large stationer’s rings that open and close can be used to attach ribbon around the base of a candle holder. At the base of the poles, arrange blooming plants, candles, and fabric using stands of varying heights. If the font is to be used for immersion baptisms at the Vigil, be sure the pathway is clear. The paschal candle, central to the Service of Light at the Easter Vigil, receives much attention in the Missale. The rubrics demand that the candle “be made of wax, never be artificial, be only one in number and be of sufficiently large size that it may convey the truth that Christ is the light of the world” (Built of Living Stones 94). Select a candle with space in the design for engraving, because the candle will be prepared in rites that are no longer optional: The celebrant cuts a cross into the candle with a stylus. Then he makes the Greek letter “Alpha” (Α) above the cross, the letter “Omega” (Ω) below it, and the four numerals of the current year between the arms of the cross, saying the words indicated. The priest lights the candle from the new fire and says: May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds (Easter Vigil 4). During the Easter season, the paschal candle is placed near the ambo or in the center of the sanctuary and is lit for all celebrations. (At Pentecost, it will be relocated near the baptismal font.) Experiment with different placements; often the best way to draw attention to something is to merely put it in an unexpected place. A fresh floral ring with ivy and long-lasting blooms placed securely around the base of the candle holder lends festivity. Ribbon streamers can produce a similar effect. Use consistent fabrics, flowers, and design near the font and paschal candle and in the sanctuary. Both neophytes and practiced Catholics celebrate Easter joy, confident in life that transcends the pressures and dangers of earthly life. With joy we enter the waters of baptism and set our sights on the glorious Light that brings us to eternal life. ML   Mary Patricia Storms is chair of the theology department at Archbishop O'Hara High School and confirmation coordinator for the parishes of St. John Francis Regis, Our Lady of Lourdes, and St. Bernadette's in Kansas City, Mo. SUBSCRIBE NOW! What do YOU Think? Send an e-mail to ML Editor or post an entry on the ML Current Issue Discussion Board. (All submissions become the property of RPI and may be edited for length.)