“I don’t want to go to the Easter Vigil. It’s too long. My Church back home has the readings in two different languages. I will fall asleep.”

This response to an invitation to go to the Easter Vigil is extremely common. I have used it many times before, especially mentally. However, this just shows that as Catholics, we are losing the true understanding of the Easter celebration. Why would we not want to go to the biggest Catholic celebration?

Let me explain: every Sunday is a mini-Easter. Why? Because it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead almost 2000 years ago. In rising from the dead, Christ conquered death and gave us hope and renewal. We are now able to achieve eternal life.

So, what’s so important about one Mass?

Daily Mass is about thirty minutes, and Sunday Mass is about an hour (maybe a little over). The Easter Vigil is around three hours, starting in the dark of night and going until the light of day. We begin in sadness and the fear of death and end in joy in the light of hope and the resurrection. Everything that is done within the Easter Vigil signifies a part of the Resurrection and builds up the excitement when we can finally sing the Gloria and realize in a special way that Christ won the fight.

The Vigil begins with a new fire being lit outdoors, the Paschal candle ignited for the first time. From that single flame, all the other candles held by the assembly are illuminated. We pass from darkness to light by the same Light of Christ. Faith and hope spread throughout the whole Church like a flame.

There are many readings revealing that the Resurrection is a long-awaited miracle and the fulfillment of many prophecies. We are called to look beyond our hunger and exhaustion and remember the faithful glory of our Lord. We are called not just to attend and observe, but to enter fully in the profound joy and singular celebration demanded by the Resurrection.

The Vigil also includes the baptism and confirmation of the Catechumens of the Church. The Faith of the Church is not something passive and a small part of history, but a living commitment transforming the world. Christ gave up his life and rose again so that we may share in something greater. In a special way the Catechumens give witness to this in fully entering the Church at Easter. Their joy is joined so uniquely with the joy of the Resurrection and the hope of Heaven.

Following the Easter Vigil are sometimes family reunions, the blessing of Easter Baskets, Easter egg hunts, and parties with friends. Why? Yes, to have fun with family and friends, but also to express our joy in the change the Resurrection brings upon us. We Catholics are not a sad people, but rather the happiest because we have something far greater than anyone else: the Resurrection and the hope of Heaven. Our witness of joy in Christ can lead others to experience it eventually as well.

So, I encourage everyone to consider going to the Easter Vigil: to encounter Christ risen, travel from darkness to light and rejoice in the power of the Lord. Do not think of the Vigil as an excessively long Mass that takes out too much time, but rather as a celebration providing a unique participation with the Catholic community. It is long because it is important.

If you cannot attend the Easter Vigil (no shame there!) make sure that you still experience the Easter joy and share it with others. It is our duty as Catholics to live in the peace and joy of Christ.

Easter is not about attendance and secular parties, but transformation and Catholic joy.