A Retreat to prepare for the Easter Vigil

1. Salvation History through the Easter
Vigil Readings
Genesis 1:1-2:2
God is Good
It is only fitting that we begin at the beginning. In this reading, God’s goodness is revealed in
the creation of the cosmos.

2. The all-powerful, all-knowing God of Love created the world out of nothing, yet waits patiently
for us to return that love. Have you set aside all other gods to worship God on Sunday with your
fellow Catholics?
Journal: Write a love letter to God

3. Genesis 2:1-14
GOD is Faithful
This story represents so much more than the horror of one man willing to sacrifice his son. It
signals the potential destruction of relationship with God. If Isaac dies, so does the covenant for
God promised to Abraham: “With him I will establish my covenant…”
God fulfill his promises.
REFLECTION: What are you willing to sacrifice to give back to God?

4. Exodus 14:5-15:1
GOD is Powerful
Recall a time when you have seen the wonders and powers of God at work.
What image from this reading is most prevalent for you?

5. Isaiah 54:5-14
God is Unconditional Forgiveness
Although God’s people may have behaved as an unfaithful spouse, not ready for the serious and
demanding relationship, God’s wrath will not last, and redemption will be close at hand. While
God’s power may have been shown in the previous reading, his real power is shown here in the
gift of mercy. We are reminded that even though we have sinned and wandered far from God,
mercy and redemption is always His to give.
Examination of Conscience
My relationship with God:
1. I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before me.
 Do I give god time every day in prayer?
 Do I seek to love Him with my whole heart?
 Have I been involved with superstitious practices or have I been involved with the
occult?
 Do I seek to surrender myself to God’s word as taught by the Church?
 Are there other “gods” in my life? Money, security, power, people, etc.?
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
 Have I used God’s name in vain: lightly or carelessly?
 Have I been angry with God?
 Have I wished evil upon any other person?
 Have I insulted a sacred person or abused a sacred object?
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day
 Have I deliberately missed Mass on Sundays or Holy Days of Obligation?
 Have I tried to observe Sunday as a family day and a day of rest?
 Do I do needless work on Sunday?
My relationship with others:
4. Honor your father and mother
 Do I honor and obey my parents?
 Have I neglected my duties to my spouse and children?

6.  Have I given my family a good religious experience?
 Do I try to bring peace into my home life?
 Do I care for my aged and infirm relatives?
5. You shall not kill
 Have I had an abortion or encouraged or helped anyone to have an abortion?
 Have I physically harmed anyone?
 Have I abused drugs or alcohol?
 Do I give scandal to anyone, thereby leading him or her into sin?
 Have I been angry or resentful?
 Have I harbored hatred in my heart?
 Have I mutilated myself through any form of sterilization?
 Have I encouraged or condoned sterilization?
 Have I engaged in anyway, in sins against human life such as artificial
insemination or in vitro fertilization?
 Have I participated in or approved of euthanasia?
6. You shall not commit adultery
 Have I been faithful to my marriage vows in thought and action?
 Have I engaged in any sexual activity outside of marriage?
 Have I used any method of contraception or artificial birth control in my
marriage?
 Have I respected all members of the opposite sex?
 Do I seek to be chaste in my thoughts, words and actions?
 Am I careful to dress modestly?
7. You shall not steal
 Have I stolen what is not mine?
 Have I returned or made restitution for what I have stolen?
 Do I waste time at work, school and home?
 Do I gamble excessively, thereby denying my family of their needs?
 Do I pay my debts promptly?
 Do I seek to share what I have with the poor?
 Have I cheated anyone out of what is justly theirs?
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor?
 Have I lied? Have I gossiped?
 Do I speak badly of others behind their back?
 Am I sincere in my dealings with others?
 Am I critical, negative or uncharitable in my thoughts of others?
 Do I keep secret what should be kept confidential?

7.  Have I injured the reputation of others by slander?
9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife? (spouse)
 Have I consented to impure thoughts?
 Have I caused them to be impure by reading, movies,TV, conversation or
curiosity?
 Do I pray at once to banish impure thoughts and temptations?
 Have I behaved in an inappropriate way with members of the opposite sex:
flirting, being superficial?
10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.
 Am I jealous of what other people have?
 Do I envy the families or possessions of others?
 Am I greedy or selfish?
 Are material possessions the purpose of my life?
Prayer before confession
O most merciful God! Prostrate at your feet, I implore your forgiveness. I sincerely desire to
leave all my evil ways and to confess my sins with all sincerity to you and to your priest. I am a
sinner, have mercy on me, O Lord. Give me a lively faith and a firm hope in the Passion of my
Redeemer. Give me, for your mercy’s sake a sorrow for having offended so good a God. Mary,
my mother, refuge of sinners, pray for me that I may make a good confession. Amen.

10. Isaiah 66: 1-11
God Calls: Come to Me.
Reflection:
The first four readings have demonstrated God’s goodness in creation through fidelity. This fifth
reading alludes to the saving work of Jesus Christ and the sacramental response of the church.
Now is the time to turn to the Lord: “come, without paying and without cost…seek the Lord,
while he may be found, call him, while he is near”
The prophet Isaiah consoles Israel by explaining that God’s ways are not our ways. God is
unconditionally generous and loving. This reading is a reminder that the search for God is always
worthwhile. The church accepts the invitation to “come” to the Lord in the Sacrament of
Baptism, and continues to be the source of all life in the Eucharist.
REFLECTION: How has your journey this year been an answer to God’s call?

11. Baruch3:9-15, 32-4:4
God’s Laws give us peace
God’s Wisdom is Our Peace
This reading reminds Israel and the Church today, that wisdom is the greatest treasure of
God. We know our history! It is a long journey of straying off the path and finding our
way back again, and again, and again, through the goodness and grace of God.
REFLECTION:
Think about a time that you went back to an “old way” of doing something. How did that
return to the ways of old make everything go smoother?
Or
How does a new understanding of church teaching, that once seemed archaic, now make
sense to you or make your life fuller?

12. Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28
GOD gives us His Spirit
The prophet Ezekiel is sent to announce that God will prove to Israel and all the nations
that he is able to gather what he has scattered- he will forgive. God is the source of all
conversion. When the Church hears this reading at the Easter Vigil, it is reminded that
our summons at Baptism is initiated by God. The spirit to turn back to God is really
God’s gift to us. God places within us the desire to return to Him.
REFLECTION:
How will you celebrate the gifts of faith, renewal and community God has given you this
Easter?
How can I help in my parish?
Building and grounds committee
Festival
Liturgy
 Music/choir
 Readers
 Eucharist Ministers
 Ushers
 Sacristans
Prayer and Worship
Environment
Religious Education
Adult Formation/RCIA
Human Concerns
Elizabeth Ministry

13. Organizations:
 Knights of Columbus
 Council of Catholic Women
 St. Vincent de Paul Society

14. Eighth Reading: Romans 6:3-11
A new story begins! Baptism is the sacramental key to our relationship with God.
REFLECTION: What key phrases touches you in this reading?
After this reading, we sing “Alleluia” for the first time since Lent began.

15. The Gospel: The Empty Tomb
‘Why do you seek the living one among the dead?” The angel ask the women who came
to the tomb. Jesus is no longer there. Perhaps we have been fortunate to encounter
Christ in the valleys and tombs of our own lives. Do we recognize him in the way he
raises us up to lead us gently away of sin and death?
Candidates around the world will be welcomed into the Body of Christ at the Easter
Vigil. The Body of Christ is renewed through its members.
REFLECTION: How can I proclaim the risen Lord in my Life? How does the way I live
my life show others what I believe?