Singing Vidi Aquam at Easter Vigil - when exactly?
  • Hilary CesareHilary Cesare
    Posts: 75
    Hello!

    I have last year's program of the Easter Vigil, and it has an English "I saw water flowing" listed to be sung sometime during the Baptism and also during the blessing of those present after renewing Baptismal promises.

    Can anyone tell me if it is correct to sing it twice (I plan to chant Vidi Aquam instead of the English version)? Or if it should be sung once? Or exactly when singing happens during this part of the vigil?

    I have been looking at this (http://rcdok.org/_documents/Worship/Guidelines/The Easter Vigil Script.pdf), but am still not quite certain.

    Thank you for any advice!
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,980
    In the OF, according to my books, it comes after the Renewal of Baptismal Promises and is sung while the congregation is sprinkled with baptismal water.
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,216
    That is confirmed by the "Circular Letter Concerning the Preparation and Celebration of the Easter Feasts" (1988):

    89. Next follows the renewal of baptismal promises, introduced by some words on the part of the celebrating priest. The faithful reply to the questions put to them, standing and holding lighted candles in their hands. They are then sprinkled with water; in this way the gestures and words recall to them the Baptism they have received. The celebrating priest passes through the main part of the church and sprinkles the people while all sing the antiphon "Vidi aquam" or another suitable song of a baptismal character.
    [...]
    97. Mass is to be celebrated on Easter Day with great solemnity. It is appropriate that the penitential rite on this day take the form of a sprinkling with water blessed at the Vigil, during which the antiphon "Vidi aquam", or some other song of baptismal character should be sung. The stoups at the entrance to the church should also be filled with the same water.
  • fcbfcb
    Posts: 338
    Perhaps in the past it was used as an acclamation at the end of the blessing of the font (instead of "Springs of water...") as well as during the sprinkling.
  • bkenney27bkenney27
    Posts: 444
    The tricky thing here is that the Missal DOES say the Vidi aquam (or another appropriate chant) is sung if there is to be a procession from the font back to the sanctuary. I think, for most churches, this would not be the case and the Vidi aquam would live happily during the sprinkling rite.

    One could circumvent the entire problem by programming another appropriate chant for the procession, were there to be one, and keep the Vidi aquam where, IMHO, it makes sense - after the renewal and during the sprinkling.
    Thanked by 1francis
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