Today the ritual of the new water and fire at Easter is not celebrated with the same fervour as before. The long-standing tradition of the blessing of the new water and fire was indeed a heartfelt paschal event in the 1940s. The new water is consecrated prior to the Easter vigil service and kept in the holy water font located at the entrance of the church. Likewise, a new candle is lit and the new fire blessed at the altar. (more…)