It's so interesting to hear your experiences with Vigil - in the Lutheran church, I guess we've solved almost all of the problems you have with it! I have never been to a Vigil where they have done every one of the readings and Psalms, and our bulletins are extremely detailed to the point where they include almost every word spoken in the service. But I did go to a Catholic Vigil with my friends (probably about a decade ago) and it was very long, but that's because we went to a mixed English/Spanish service. They definitely didn't do all the readings and I don't remember any singing during that portion of the Mass.
Anyway, I love the Vigil service, and I'm kinda bummed I won't be able to attend this year.
Easter Vigil was the worst. It didn't make me an atheist (that came later), but it sure helped sour me on going to church in general.
My mother likes to tell the story of our family going to Easter Vigil when I was a little kid, and after 30 minutes (which felt like hours, I am sure), the priest said, "Please stand for the opening prayer", and I turned to my mom with a look of horror and said, "OPENING prayer!?!?!".
It's so interesting to hear your experiences with Vigil - in the Lutheran church, I guess we've solved almost all of the problems you have with it! I have never been to a Vigil where they have done every one of the readings and Psalms, and our bulletins are extremely detailed to the point where they include almost every word spoken in the service. But I did go to a Catholic Vigil with my friends (probably about a decade ago) and it was very long, but that's because we went to a mixed English/Spanish service. They definitely didn't do all the readings and I don't remember any singing during that portion of the Mass.
Anyway, I love the Vigil service, and I'm kinda bummed I won't be able to attend this year.
You make a great point, and another good reason for a program. People do not necessarily know what is going on!
Easter Vigil was the worst. It didn't make me an atheist (that came later), but it sure helped sour me on going to church in general.
My mother likes to tell the story of our family going to Easter Vigil when I was a little kid, and after 30 minutes (which felt like hours, I am sure), the priest said, "Please stand for the opening prayer", and I turned to my mom with a look of horror and said, "OPENING prayer!?!?!".