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Pure Olive Oil is blessed for the coming year -
to be used for the anointing of the sick,
to bind decisions and vows and for souls who ask for the last rites.
This service is celebrated prior to the Veneration of Light. |
Prior to the Blessing.
The oil, incense and cotton wool ready.
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After the Blessing.
The blessed oil is in the priest's containers. There is some oil to be sent to priests not present, in other cities. |
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| Priests come and collect their blessed oil stock. |
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Lord, make Calvary real for me,
Lord, make Calvary real to me;
Open my eyes to see vic'try in Christ for me;
Lord, make Calvary real to me.
We are singing this song during Holy Week prior to our daily contemplations.
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We experience the blessing and dressing of the altar
in preparation for the dawn of Easter morning.
This is a celebration of the triumph of light over darkness,
symbolised in the kindling of fire and lighting of the Paschal candle.
We experience the culmination at the midnight hour
when we share together in holy communion. |
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| At the back of the chapel - awaiting to be put on the altar which has the covered Paschal candle. |
This is the day of light;
Let there be light today;
O dayspring, rise upon our night
And chase its gloom away.
This is the day of prayer:
Let earth and heaven draw near:
Lift up our hearts to seek you there,
Come down to meet us here. |
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Lighting the match from the Fire.
Then the small candle is lit,
from which the Paschal candle is lit. |
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The Paschal candle is alight
on the altar. |
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All the candles are lit.
The Light shines in the darkness.
The light-filled living altar
- a symbol we can not comprehend with our intellect, but may do so through symbols and ritual.
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The Paschal Candle
and the Presence.
Were You There?
Can we be this living altar?
Can we be the light? |
There's a light that comes from heaven
And it shines on ev'ryone
To light the light that glows in you;
It's brighter than the sun.
Christ's light it shines for me
Throughout eternity.
The more I have the more I see
Christ's light shine.
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O love that knoweth of no fear,
O love that sheds a joyous tear,
O love that makes me whole and free,
Such love shall keep and hallow me. |
