LiturgyTools.net: Hymn suggestions - Easter Saturday - the Easter Vigil, Years A, B and C

A selection of hymns and songs, based on themes from the Roman Catholic lectionary for Easter Saturday - the Easter Vigil, Years A,B and C.

Most are free-to-use (ie public domain or copyright-free), so the words can be copied and sung to at least one tune with no concerns about copyright or performance licensing. Many of these hymns are old/traditional - but where possible a variety of styles / genres are included.

Seasonal Note

The Easter Vigil is the liturgical highlight of the Church year. It is the third ceremony in the Triduum, following from the Holy Thursday commemoration of the Lord's Supper, and the Good Friday Celebration of the Lord's Passion.

It has four parts:

Liturgy of Light
Liturgy of the Word - which includes up to seven Old Testament readings, as well as an Epistle and Gosepel
Liturgy of Baptism
Liturgy of the Eucharist.

The Easter Vigil planning template is a worksheet for planning and organising this service.

Suggestions about other free-to-use hymns that could be included are welcome: leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.

Readings

Old testament readings

Genesis 1:1 -2:2 - The creation story
Genesis 22:1-18 - God tested Abraham's willingness to offer his son
Exodus 14:15 - 15:1 - Moses parting the Red Sea so the people can escape from Egypt
Isaiah 54: 5-14 - With great love, the Lord has taken pity on you, and will never leave you.
Isaiah 55:1-11 - Come to the water, you who are thirsty / I will make an everlasting covenant
Baruch 3:9-15, 32 - 4:4: The One who knows all sends the light ... in her radiance, make your way to light
Ezekiel 36:16-28 - The nations will learn that I am the Lord ... I shall pour clean water over you ... I shall remove the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh

Note: The 3rd reading is compulsory. Up to six others are chosen, depending on the liturgical guidelines and local / pastoral circumstances.

Mass Readings

First: Romans 6:3-11 - We were baptised in Christ's death - and resurrection. When he died, he died once for all.

Psalm: 117 - Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia / Give thanks to the Lord / The Lord's right hand has triumphed.

Second: Hebrews -In Jesus we have the supreme High Priest, who learnt to obey through suffering.

Gospel:

Year A Matthew 28:1-10 - The angel rolled away the stone, and said to the women "Do not be afraid, he is risen as he said. Come and see the tomb, then go and tell the disciples that he is going to Galilee". The women ran filled with awe and joy, and they met Jesus.

Year B Mark 16:1-7 - The women went to the tomb, and found the stone rolled away. They entered the tomb, and found Jesus was gone. A young man in a white robe told them that Jesus had risen, and that they should tell the disciples to go to Galilee to see Jesus.

Year C Luke 24:1-12 - The women went to the tomb, and found the stone rolled away. Two dazzing men appeared and said "Why look among the dead for one who is alive?". They reported this to the disciples, and Peter went to the tomb.