As Easter is a time for a renewal of faith, a Saturday-evening vigil often draws many converts who come to be baptized and receive their first Eucharist. This year was no exception for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

“This year, during Easter Vigil Masses around the archdiocese, a total of 931 adults and 812 children of catechetical age received the sacraments of baptism and Holy Eucharist,” José Gomez, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, said in a tweet. 

At 8 p.m. on Holy Saturday, the congregation gathered on the Cathedral Plaza to commence the liturgy. The Easter Fire Hearth was lit, and the traditional blessing of the fire took place. With candles in hand, attendees filed into the cathedral. Among them were several adults who had completed the process of Christian initiation known as the catechumenate, which can take over a year. According to Angelus News, these individuals received the sacraments of baptism and Holy Eucharist for the first time.

During the Easter Vigil, the congregation engaged in the customary reaffirmation of their baptismal vows. They were blessed with newly sanctified water from the baptismal font, representing their regeneration through baptism in Christ. Gomez reflected on the crucial role of St. Mary Magdalene in the Gospel narrative of the Resurrection, as recorded by St. John the Evangelist, Angelus News continued.

“From this empty tomb, we can walk now in Jesus’ footsteps, following the risen Lord, living with him in friendship,” Gomez said in his homily at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. “Our whole life becomes a beautiful adventure with him, a beautiful adventure that is destined for heaven and the love that never ends.”

The Easter Vigil was followed on Sunday, April 9, with an Easter Mass. Those who missed the opportunity to go in person can watch both services online.