An Order for the Salubong of Easter

The Salubong is a traditional Filipino rite reenacting the meeting or encounter (the ‘Salubong’) between the risen Jesus and his sorrowful mother. In the rite, we see Mary’s deep sorrow at the loss of her Son turn into joy. Traditionally, it is commemorated on Easter morning before the first Eucharist of the day, however, an option is given to immediately commemorate the Salubong of Jesus and his mother after the Great Vigil of Easter.

FOR A SALUBONG IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER

After the post-communion prayer, the Deacon, or the Celebrant, says to the congregation

Let us go forth in peace.

In the name of the risen Christ. Amen.

The Celebrant and congregation process out of the church with an icon or statue of the Risen Christ flanked by two lit torches. The paschal candle may lead the procession. A hymn commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus is sung. Meanwhile, another procession, bearing an icon or statue of the Virgin Mary veiled in black and flanked with two unlit torches, comes out of the church hall or some other place to meet the procession of the Risen Christ. This procession sings a hymn of sorrow, keeps a mournful silence, or recites a litany.

When the two processions meet, the icon or statue of the Sorrowful Mother is carefully unveiled; the Celebrant says with accents full of faith and hope,

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia!

For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia!

or this

Arise, shine, for your light has come, alleluia!

And the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you, alleluia!

Applause is appropriate. The unlit torches flanking the icon or statue of the Virgin Mary are now lit, preferably from the Paschal Candle, and the church bells may be pealed.

The Celebrant says

Let us pray.

O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, rejoicing in his resurrection with the Blessed Virgin Mary, his mother, may obtain the joys of everlasting life. We ask this through Christ our risen Lord.  Amen.

A hymn for the Salubong may be sung. Suitable canticles, such as the Magnificat or the Pascha Nostrum, may be substituted.

The Bishop when present, or the Priest, gives the first blessing of Easter.

The Deacon, or the Celebrant, dismisses the people.

FOR A SALUBONG PRIOR TO THE FIRST EUCHARIST OF EASTER MORNING 

(the traditional celebration)

This celebration takes place in the early morning, before sunrise.

The Celebrant says

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

The Deacon, or the Celebrant, says to the congregation

Let us go forth in peace.

In the name of the risen Christ. Amen.

The Celebrant and congregation process out of the church with an icon or statue of the Risen Christ flanked by two lit torches. The paschal candle may lead the procession. A hymn commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus is sung. Meanwhile, another procession, bearing an icon or statue of the Virgin Mary veiled in black and flanked with two unlit torches, comes out of the church hall or some other place to meet the procession of the Risen Christ. This procession sings a hymn of sorrow, keeps a mournful silence, or recites a litany.

When the two processions meet, the icon or statue of the Sorrowful Mother is carefully unveiled; the Celebrant says with accents full of faith and hope,

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia!

For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia!

or this

Arise, shine, for your light has come, alleluia!

And the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you, alleluia!

Applause is appropriate. The unlit torches flanking the icon or statue of the Virgin Mary are now lit, preferably from the Paschal Candle, and the church bells may be pealed. 

The Celebrant says

Let us pray.

O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, rejoicing in his resurrection with the Blessed Virgin Mary, his mother, may obtain the joys of everlasting life. We ask this through Christ our risen Lord.  Amen.

A hymn for the Salubong may be sung as all process back into the church. Suitable canticles, such as the Gloria in Excelsis, the Magnificat or the Pascha Nostrum, may be substituted. 

The Holy Eucharist continues with the Salutation and the Collect of the Day.

SUGGESTED HYMNS FOR THE PROCESSION OF THE RISEN CHRIST

180 He is risen, he is risen

182 Christ is alive! Let Christians sing

184 Christ the Lord is risen again

194 Jesus lives! thy terrors now

195 Jesus lives! thy terrors now

199 Come, ye faithful, raise the strain

200 Come, ye faithful, raise the strain

207 Jesus Christ is risen today

208 The strife is o'er, the battle done

211 The whole bright world rejoices now

713 Christ is arisen (Christus ist erstanden)

SUGGESTED HYMNS FOR THE PROCESSION OF THE SORROWFUL MOTHER

159 At the Cross her station keeping

168 O sacred head, sore wounded

172 Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

173 O sorrow deep

666 Out of the deep I call

668 I to the hills will lift mine eyes

SUGGESTED HYMNS FOR THE MEETING (THE ‘SALUBONG’) OF THE TWO PROCESSIONS

190 Lift your voice rejoicing, Mary

268 Ye who own the faith of Jesus

269 Ye who own the faith of Jesus

437 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord

438 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord

556 Rejoice, ye pure in heart

557 Rejoice, ye pure in heart

Joshua Ligan 2008.

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