Exult, choirs of angels,
Exult, heavenly assembly!
May a hymn of glory
greet the triumph of our risen Lord!
Rejoice, all the earth,
flooded with the new light!
The splendour of the King has conquered darkness,
the darkness of the world!
The splendour of the King has conquered darkness,
the darkness of the world!
Rejoice, O Mother Church, made resplendent
with the glory of your risen Lord.
Let this holy building resound,
echoing the song of a people in feast.
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right and just.
It is truly right and just
to express, by singing, the great joy of the spirit
and to praise the all powerful Father
and his Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.
He paid for us to the eternal Father Adam’s debt,
and with his blood, shed out of love,
he wiped away the condemnation of the ancient fault.
This is the Passover
in which is slain the one true Lamb.
This is the night
in which you freed our fathers from the slavery of Egypt.
This is the night
that with a pillar of fire banished the darkness of evil.
This is the night in which you have conquered the darkness of sin.
This is the night
in which Christ has destroyed death
and from the dead arises victorious.
How wonderful is the mercy
of your grace,
how boundless the tenderness of your love;
to ransom a slave you sacrificed your Son!
Without the sin of Adam,
Christ would not have redeemed us!
O happy fault,
which deserved so great a Saviour,
O happy fault!
O Night, truly blessed,
which knew the hour in which Christ arose!
O Night, truly blessed,
which despoiled the Egyptians to make Israel wealthy!
O Night, which conquers evil and washes guilt away!
O Night, truly glorious,
which reconciles man | to his God!
This is the night
in which Christ has destroyed death
and from the dead arises victorious.
In this night, receive, heavenly Father,
the sacrifice of praise
that the Church is offering you by the hand of her ministers
in the solemn liturgy of the candle,
sign of the new light.
We pray you, O Lord:
let this candle,
offered in honour of your name,
shine with light;
let it ascend to you like fragrant perfume,
let it mingle with the stars of heaven;
may the morning star find this flame still burning,
the morning star which never sets:
Christ, your Son, risen from the dead,
who shines resplendent with his peaceful light!
Amen, Amen, Amen!

O God, who by invisible power
accomplish a wondrous effect through sacramental signs
and who in many ways have prepared water, your creation,
to show forth the grace of Baptism;
O God, whose Spirit, in the first moments of the world’s creation,
hovered over the waters,
so that the very substance of water
would even then take to itself the power to sanctify;
O God, who by the outpouring of the flood
foreshadowed regeneration,
so that from the mystery of one and the same element of water
would come an end to vice and a beginning of virtue;
O God, who caused the children of Abraham
to pass dry shod through the Red Sea,
so that the chosen people, set free from slavery to Pharaoh,
would prefigure the people of the baptized;
O God,
whose Son, baptised by John in the waters of the Jordan,
was anointed with the Holy Spirit,
and as he hung | upon the Cross,
gave forth from his side | blood and water,
and, after his Resurrection, commanded his disciples:
“Go forth, teach all nations, teach all nations,
look now, we pray, upon the face of your Church
and graciously unseal for her the fountain of Baptism.
May this water receive by the Holy Spirit
the grace of your Only Begotten Son,
so that human nature, created in your image,
and washed clean through the sacrament of Baptism
from all the squalor of the life of old,
may be found worthy to rise to the life of newborn children
through water and the Holy Spirit.
May the power of the Holy Spirit,
O Lord, we pray,
come down through your Son
into the fullness of this font,
so that, all who have been buried with Christ
by Baptism into his death
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Created for the glory of your Name,
redeemed by the blood of your cross,
marked by the seal of your Spirit,
we implore you: ‘Save us, O Lord.’
Break the chains of sin,
protect the humble, free the oppressed;
lead to heaven to the peaceful pastures
the people who believe in your love.
Honour and praise to you, Good Shepherd,
radiant light of eternal splendour;
you, who reign with the Father and the Spirit,
glorious for ever and ever. Amen.

We praise you, O God,
we proclaim you as Lord,
O Eternal Father,
all the earth adores you.
To you sing the angels
and all the powers of heaven,
holy, holy, holy,
holy, holy, holy,
Lord God of the Universe!
Heaven and earth
are full of your glory.
The choir of apostles acclaims you
and the white-robed army of martyrs.
The voices of the prophets unite in your praise,
the holy Church proclaims your glory,
adoring your only Son,
and the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
O Christ, king of glory,
eternal Son of the Father,
you were born of the Virgin Mother
for the salvation of man.
Victorious over death,
you opened to the faithful the kingdom of Heaven.
You sit at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
You will come to judge the world at the end of time.
Help your servants, O Lord,
redeemed by your precious blood.
May we be numbered with your saints
in everlasting glory.
Save your people, O Lord,
guide and protect your children.
Day by day we bless you,
we praise your name for ever.
Grant today, O Lord,
to keep us free from sin.
May your mercy be ever with us:
in you have we hoped.
Have mercy on us, O Lord,
have mercy on us.
You are our hope,
may we never be confounded.

The march is hard, the sun is strong,
slow the people go.
Moses, chief of Israel,
goes to set them free.
Listen, Father,
to the cry of your people,
listen, Father,
send the Saviour.
The people yearn for life and peace,
they want to rise again.
Moses, chief of Israel,
goes to set them free.
Listen, Father…

Give thanks to the Lord, alleluia!
Give thanks to the Lord, alleluia!
Give thanks to the Lord, alleluia!
Give thanks to the Lord, alleluia!
Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his love is everlasting.
He alone does great marvels.
Give thanks to the Lord, alleluia…
He made the heavens with wisdom,
for his love is everlasting.
He set the earth firmly on the waters. *
He created the great lights in the heavens,
for his love is everlasting,
the sun to rule the day and the moon the night. *
He struck down the first born of Egypt,
for his love is everlasting.
And he brought out his people, Israel.*
He opened a way through the sea,
for his love is everlasting.
And he led his people through the waters. *
He drowned Pharaoh and his army,
for his love is everlasting.
And he led his people through the desert. *
He gave us according to his promise,
for his love is everlasting,
a land flowing with milk and honey. *
He is with us in our anguish,
for his love is everlasting.
And he frees us from our oppressors. *
He provides for all living creatures,
for his love is everlasting.
Give thanks to the Lord of Heaven. *
Give thanks to the Lord…

Blessed be the Lord,
the God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people,
raising up for us a power of salvation
in the house of his servant David.
According to the promise made from ancient times,
through the mouths of his holy prophets,
that he would save us from our enemies
and from the hands of all those who hate us.
Fulfilling in this way the mercy
he had with our fathers,
remembering his holy Covenant,
and the oath he swore to our father, Abraham,
that he would set us free from fear
to be delivered from the hands of our enemies,
to serve him in holiness and virtue
in his presence all our days.
Blessed be the Lord...
And you, little child,
you shall be called Prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord
to prepare a way for him,
announcing to his people salvation
and forgiveness of their sins.
Because of the tender mercy of our God,
a sun, rising from on high, will visit us,
to give light to those who live in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Blessed be the Lord…

How many good things has the Almighty showered on us!
How many good things has the Almighty showered on us!
How many good things has the Almighty showered on us!
If Christ had taken us out of Egypt,
but without bringing judgement on Pharaoh,
this would have been good enough, good enough,
Dayenu, dayenu, dayenu!
If he had brought judgement on Pharaoh,
but without liberating us from all idols… *
If he had liberated us from all idols,
but without giving us their riches…
If he had given us their riches,
but without opening the sea for us…
If he had opened the sea for us,
but without drowning our oppressors…
If he had drowned our oppressors,
but without giving us a way across the desert.
If he had given us a way across the desert,
but without feeding us with the bread of life…
If he had fed us with the bread of life,
but without giving us the day of the Lord…
If he had given us the day of the Lord,
but without giving us the New Covenant…
If he had given us the New Covenant,
but without bringing us into his Church…
If he had brought us into his Church,
but without building in us his temple…
If he had built in us his holy temple,
but without filling it with the Holy Spirit …
So much more must we give thanks to the Lord!
So much more must we give thanks to the Lord!
So much more must we give thanks to the Lord!
Who has brought us out of Egypt…
Who has brought judgement on Pharaoh…
Who has freed us from all our oppressors…
Who has given us all their riches…
Who has opened the sea for us…
Who has drowned our oppressors…
Who has given us a way across the desert…
Who has nourished us with the bread of life…
Who has given us the day of the Lord…
Who has given to us the New Covenant…
Who has brought us into his Church…
Who has built in us his temple…
And has filled it with his Holy Spirit,
through forgiveness of sins!
Christ our Passover is risen for us!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
This would have been enough…

Dawn tinges the sky with purple,
the sound of praise echoes in the air.
The world rejoices in triumph,
hell trembles with fear:
while the King, Christ, frees mankind
from the dark prison of death
and leads us to life.
A stone sealed his tomb;
it was watched by many soldiers,
yet Christ triumphs with glory
and wakes from death:
no more mourning, nor weeping,
no more sorrows.
He rose from death! He rose from death!

Taste and see,
how good is the Lord.
I will bless the Lord at all times,
his praise always on my lips.
I glory in the Lord,
let the humble hear and rejoice.
Taste and see…
Sing with me to the Lord,
together let us sing to his Name.
For I sought the Lord and he answered me,
and he freed me from all my fears.
Taste and see…
Many trials lie in wait for the just man,
but from them all the Lord frees him.
This poor man calls out, the Lord hears him,
and frees him from all his anguish.
Taste and see…

The Lord is coming with majesty enrobed,
girded with power, he clothes himself in splendour.
He keeps the world firm, it will never be shaken,
your throne stands firm, you are from all eternity.
Holiness is fitting to your house,
Holiness is fitting to your house!
The Lord is coming with majesty enrobed…
To the one who loves us and frees us from our sins,
and has made of us a kingdom of priests,
to him be glory and power for ever and ever,
to him be glory and power for ever and ever!
The Lord is coming with majesty enrobed…
Behold! He is coming, he is coming on the clouds,
Behold! He is coming and everyone will see him.
Even those, even those who pierced him,
all the nations of the earth.
The Lord is coming with majesty enrobed,
girded with power, he clothes himself in splendour.

I will bless the Lord at all times,
his praise always on my lips;
I glory in the Lord,
let the humble hear and rejoice.
Sing with me to the Lord,
together let us sing to his name,
for I sought the Lord and he answered me,
and freed me from all my fears.
I will bless the Lord at all times…
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him and he rescues them;
this poor man cries out, the Lord hears him,
and frees him from all his anguish.
I will bless the Lord at all times…
Taste and see,
how good is the Lord.
Happy the man
who takes refuge in him.
Taste and see,
how good is the Lord.
Happy the man
who takes refuge in him.
I will bless the Lord at all times…
Many trials lie in wait for the just man
but from them all the Lord saves him.
This poor man cries out, the Lord hears him,
and frees him from all his anguish.
I will bless the Lord at all times…

Sing to the Lord, sing hymns to his name,
sing to the Lord, prepare a way
for him who rides on the clouds.
'The Lord' is his name,
rejoice before him:
Father of orphans and defender of widows,
is God.
To the poorest he gives a place in his house,
he frees prisoners – they are full of joy.
Let God arise,
let his enemies scatter,
let all the just rejoice
and let them sing for joy!
Sing to the Lord…

To you, O Lord, with my voice I cry for help,
Lord in my pleading I entreat you;
to you, O Lord, I pour out my lamentation,
to you my anguish I unfold.
I feel that my spirit is fainting,
but you know my path.
Look, Lord, in my path,
look, they have laid a snare for me,
look, at my right hand there is no one,
no one who knows me;
every comfort escapes me
because there is no one who cares for my soul.
To you I cry, O Lord,
to you I say:
"You alone are my refuge,
you are my portion on this earth,
my only happiness."
Listen, Lord, I am crying,
because my spirit is broken.
Free me, Lord, from my enemies,
because they are stronger than me.
Take my soul from this prison
that I may give thanks to your name;
then, the saints will gather round me,
they will rejoice because of your love for me.
To you, O Lord, with my voice I cry for help,
Lord in my pleading I entreat you;
to you, O Lord, I pour out my lamentation,
to you my anguish I unfold.
To you I cry, O Lord,
to you I say:
"You alone are my refuge,
you are my portion on this earth,
my only happiness."

Mary, mother of the burning way,
you free us from the fire of the passions
with the dew of your intercession.
You free us from the fire of the passions
with the dew of your intercession.
Meek Mary, all immaculate,
guardian angel of the third millennium,
place of all graces,
image of every virtue,
the heavenly Jerusalem sings your beauty.
You have shown us the way,
under the cross you have received us,
Mother of the burning way.
Under the cross you have received us,
how could you refuse your dying Son?
Meek Mary...

Elí, Elí, lamá sabachtháni?
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
How far I feel you from my lamentation;
I call on you by day and you do not answer,
I call by night and there is no rest for me.
Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?…
Yet you are the Holy One,
you dwell in the praises of my people;
in you my fathers have hoped,
they hoped in you and you have freed them;
they cried to you and they were saved,
they hoped in you and did not remain disappointed.
Then me? Why don’t you help me?
Perhaps I am not a man? Look, I am a worm!
Disgraced among men! Rejection of my people!
All those who see me curl their lips,
they mock me, shake their heads and say:
"He trusted in the Lord,
let him rescue him if he loves him so much."
Yes, you love me, yes, you cherish me!
You drew me out of my mother’s womb,
at my birth you picked me up,
from my mother’s womb you have been my God,
when I was being born I entrusted myself to you.
Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?…
Do not be far from me;
look! anguish is near and no one helps me.
Many bullocks surround me,
bulls of Bashan besiege me,
against me they open wide their mouths,
like a lion raging and roaring.
I am dirty water which is thrown away,
all my bones are racked;
my heart is like wax,
melting away within my bosom;
dry as a pot-shard is my palate,
my tongue is stuck to my throat,
you have thrown me in the dust of death.
Eli…
A pack of dogs surrounds me,
a gang of evildoers besieges me;
they have pierced my hands and my feet,
I can count all my bones.
They stare at me, they observe me,
they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothes they cast lots.
But you, Lord, do not stay far away! –
my strength, my strength, run to my help!
Save me from the sword,
from the claws of the dogs, save my life,
save me, save me from the mouth of the lion,
and from the horns of the bulls!
Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?…
I will announce your name to my brothers,
I will praise you in the midst of the assembly:
I will say: Praise the Lord you who fear him,
sing to the Lord, descendants of Jacob!
let the race of Israel give him glory;
because he was not disgusted with this poor man,
the only one who was not scandalised at me.
He did not despise this wretched man,
he did not hide his face from him,
but at his cry for help he answered him,
at his cry he heard him.
Eli…
Now I know that the poor will be saved,
that everyone who looks for you will find you,
that their hearts, their hearts will live,
will live forever, will live eternally.
All the ends of the earth will return to the Lord,
all the families of nations shall bow down before him.
Because the kingdom, the kingdom is the Lord’s;
he is the ruler of all the nations,
all those who prosper on the earth will bow down before him,
to him will bow all those who go down to the dust.
And I, I will live, will live for him,
my descendants shall serve him.
The Lord will be spoken of to the coming generations,
they will announce to them what he has done for me;
to the people yet to be born they will say: "Behold the work of the Lord."

You who dwell in the gardens,
where my companions are listening,
let me hear your voice,
let me hear your voice.
Flee, my beloved,
like a gazelle,
like a young stag,
on the sweet scented mountains.
I am in his eyes
as one who has found peace,
my vineyard is here in front of me,
my vineyard is here in front of me,
Flee, my beloved,
like a gazelle,
like a young stag,
on the sweet scented mountains.
You who dwell in the gardens…
The Church through Baptism has been introduced into the gardens of the Kingdom "where the
companions are listening."
There, as she has been made mother and teacher of all nations because of the experience of
love she has received and because of the suffering, the joys, the failures, the recoveries and – we
could say – because of the history of salvation that the Song of Songs expresses, the Church is
invited by the Bridegroom to let her voice be heard in a final yearning.
The Church answers with an eschatological paschal cry: what she has come to know and
experienced of the Bridegroom makes her desire to flee with him in a final exodus "to the sweet
scented mountains," which is Heaven, forever free.

You have seduced me, Lord,
and I let myself be seduced.
You wrestled with me and you defeated me,
You ve taken me by force and have prevailed!
When I speak I have to shout:
"Violence! Oppression!"
And so your word
has brought me insult and derision.
I said to myself:
"I will think of him no more,
I will not speak any more in his name."
But in my heart there was a burning fire
that was raging in my bones.
But in my heart there was a burning fire
that was raging in my bones.
Cursed be the day I was born;
cursed be the man
who brought the news to my father:
"A son is born to you."
Why did I come out of my mother’s womb
only to see torment and sorrow?
But the Lord is at my side
like a brave and mighty warrior.
But the Lord is at my side
like a brave and mighty warrior.
Sing hymns to the Lord,
praise the Lord,
for he has freed the life of this poor man.
But the Lord is at my side…