Did Jesus rise at 4 AM?

Our monastery here in Clyde, Missouri has had the tradition over at least the last 20 years or so of having the Easter Vigil at 4am Easter Sunday morning…yes…4 AM.

Guests or family members who we tell this to will often have a blank look and then a look of surprise as if to say, “Did I hear you right?” 

Why so early?  The Vigil is supposed to take place completely in the dark…if it wasn’t for daylight savings time we could probably start at 5 AM!

It will often come up every year as a community discussion as to whether or not we should move it to Holy Saturday evening.  Those sisters who really have a hard time in the wee hours of the morning will voice that preference.  But somehow, the early Sunday hour has always won out.   At least someone makes coffee by 3:15AM!   As someone who is not used to getting up in the 3 o’clock hour, I am want to try the Saturday night 8:30pm time.  However, I must admit there is something special about those early morning hours.   

So we slowly gathered at the new front entrance of our recently renovated monastery; waiting inside until exactly 4 am (it being on the cool side outdoors);  mostly quiet but for a few guests whispering greetings back and forth with the sisters.    A few hardy souls join us for our Vigil every year, driving 25 minutes or even an hour to celebrate this liturgy with us.   The ‘less than full’ moon shone brightly over our heads as we lined up on the sidewalk and Father Benedict from nearby Conception Abbey blessed the fire and prepared the Paschal Candle.   Moonlight softened everything, casting a silver glow upon our corner of the earth.  The air was still, occasional sparks flew from the fire and the blessing prayers rose upward.   

Every time I experience this pre-dawn hour, I can easily imagine the women disciples rising early to prepare their spices for the tomb and setting off for the burial place.  When one is suffering from grief and shock at the loss of a loved one,  they don’t get much sleep anyway.  You might as well fill the hours waiting for the dawn to break on the eastern horizon with something that seems useful.   It helps those empty hours pass quicker.

And so we processed into our dark monastery and chapel until the light was shared from the Paschal Candle.   Two hours and 15 minutes later, after a rousing organ/piano duet postlude of the Hallelujah Chorus, we gathered in our refectory for some breakfast and fellowship.  A peek through the window shades did indeed confirm it was still dark with maybe a hint of changing color on the eastern horizon.

Somehow having the Vigil in the evening where everyone afterward just heads off to bed seems to miss sharing the joy of the momentous event we celebrate.   And so, while my body may protest rising at that ‘God-forsaken hour,’ somehow it just seems like the right time to do it.   Hmmm…I wonder how I will feel next year when it comes up for discussion again?

Wishing all a Blessed Easter!