Pope John Paul II: Easter Vigil 2002

This is the night of nights, the night of faith and of hope. While all is shrouded in darkness, God – the Light – keeps watch. With him there keep watch all who hope and trust in him.

O Mary,
this is truly your night!
As the last lights of the Sabbath are extinguished,
and the fruit of your womb rests in the earth,
your heart too keeps watch!
Your faith and your hope look ahead.
Behind the heavy stone,
they already detect the empty tomb;
behind the thick veil of darkness,
they glimpse the dawn of the Resurrection.
Grant, O Mother, that we too may keep watch in the silence of the night,
believing and hoping in the Lord’s word.
Thus shall we meet, in the fullness of light and life,
Christ, the first-fruits of the risen,
who reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
for ever and ever.
Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia!

Source: L’Osservatore Romano, April 3, 2002, English Edition