The Exsultet — Rejoice now, heavenly hosts and choirs of angels

Rejoice now, heavenly hosts and choirs of angels, and let your trumpets shout Salvation for the victory of our mighty King. Rejoice and sing now, all the round earth, bright with a glorious splendor, for darkness has been vanquished by our eternal King. Rejoice and be glad now, Mother Church, and let your holy courts, in radiant light, resound with the praises of your people. All you who stand near this marvelous and holy flame, pray with me to God the Almighty for the grace to sing the worthy praise of this great light; through Jesus Christ his Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. It is truly right and good, always and everywhere, with our whole heart and mind and voice to praise you, the invisible, almighty, and eternal God, and your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who paid for us the debt of Adam's sin, and by his blood delivered your faithful people; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, the very Lamb of God, whose blood marks the doorposts of believers and makes us holy. This is the night when you brought our forebears, the children of Israel, out of bondage in Egypt, and led them through the Red Sea on dry land. This is the night when with a pillar of fire you banished the darkness of our iniquity. This is the night when all who believe in Christ are delivered from the gloom of sin, and are restored to grace and holiness of life. This is the night when Christ broke the bonds of death and hell, and rose victorious from the grave. Our birth would have been no gain, had we not been redeemed. How wonderful and beyond our knowing, O God, is your mercy and loving kindness to us, that to redeem a slave, you gave a Son. O wonderful providence of Adam's sin destroyed completely by the death of Christ. O happy fault, which gained for us so great and glorious a Redeemer. This is the night of which it is written: the night shall be as bright as the day. How holy is this night when wickedness is put to flight, and sin is washed away. It restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to those who mourn. It casts out pride and hatred, and brings peace and concord. How blessed is this night when earth and heaven are joined, and Man is reconciled to God. Therefore, O holy Father, accept our evening sacrifice, the offering of this candle in your honor, the work of bees and of your servants' hands, the gift of your most holy Church. May it mingle with the lights of heaven, and shine continually to drive away all darkness. May Christ, the Morning Star who knows no setting, find it ever burning—he who gives his light to all creation, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.