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FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT, EASTER VIGIL AND SALUBONG AT QUIAPO CHURCH

Apr. 18, 2026 08:24 AM

One of the most important moments of Easter Sunday during Holy Week is the commemoration of the glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ from His suffering and death. At Quiapo Church, the annual celebration of the Easter Vigil and Salubong is not merely a tradition, but a deeply spiritual experience eagerly anticipated by thousands of faithful. It has become part of the lived faith of devotees—a moment to renew hope, strengthen faith, and embrace the promise of new life brought about by Christ’s Resurrection.

 

The celebration begins with the Easter Vigil, considered the most sacred and solemn liturgy of the Church. In the stillness of the night, darkness symbolizes sin and death, which is gradually overcome by light through the lighting of the Paschal Candle, led by Rev. Fr. Jonathan Noel Mojica. This candle represents Christ as the Light of the World, dispelling darkness and bringing hope to humanity.

 

This is followed by the chanting of the Exultet, led by Rev. Fr. Marion Brian Maquiraya—a powerful hymn of praise and joy proclaiming the triumph of light over darkness and life over death. In the homily of Rev. Fr. Robert Arellano, LRMS, the Resurrection is emphasized as the very foundation of the Christian faith—reminding the faithful that without it, all belief would lose its meaning.

At the heart of the Easter Vigil is the baptism of new members of the Church and the renewal of baptismal promises by the faithful. Through this, Christians are reminded that they share in the new life offered by Christ—a life filled with hope, transformation, and salvation.

After the Mass, the celebration continues with the Salubong—a deeply moving tradition that reenacts the meeting of Virgin Mary and the Risen Jesus. More than a simple ritual, it is a powerful symbol of victory over sorrow. In separate processions along the streets of Quiapo, the images of Mary and Jesus are carried until they meet in front of the church.

The most anticipated moment is the lifting of Mary’s veil, symbolizing the end of her mourning and the beginning of joy. In this moment, the true meaning of the Salubong is revealed: from grief to hope, from darkness to light. As young angels raise the veil, fireworks light up the sky—marking the collective rejoicing of the people in Christ’s victory over death.

Overall, the Easter Vigil and Salubong are not merely annual traditions. They serve as a powerful reminder that beyond suffering, there is resurrection; beyond darkness, there is light; and beyond death, there is eternal life. It is an invitation for everyone to continue believing, hoping, and living in the light of the Risen Christ.

 

 

 

 

Angelyn Garcia | Social Communications