The Cardinal afterwards changes his cope for a chasuble, which is purple as well as that of the subdeacon; but the deacon, as he is going to bless the Paschal candle[112], wears a white dalmatic.  They then enter the Sixtine chapel; where, having put incense into the thurible, the Cardinal remains:  but the deacon, the subdeacon who carries the cross, and the other ministers go to the Pauline chapel, whence a procession returns in the following order.  After two mace bearers comes an acolythe with the five grains of incense, and another with the thurible; then the subdeacon carrying the cross; and the deacon with a reed, at the top of which are 3 candles united together.  At his left hand is a Master of ceremonies with a small candle lighted from the blessed fire, and he is followed by two other acolythes.  When the deacon arrives near the door of the cancellata, one of the three candles is lighted, and all genuflect, except the subdeacon:  the deacon then sings, Lumen Christi, the light of Christ, and the choir answers, Thanks be to God.  The other two candles are lighted in turn, as the Deacon approaches nearer to the altar; singing the same words each time, but gradually in a higher tone.  He then gives the reed to an acolythe; and before he sings the exultet or blessing of the Paschal candle, he receives the benediction of the Card.  Celebrant, who once more puts incense into the thurible.

[Sidenote:  Deacon sings the Exultet:]

[Sidenote:  triple candle]

The deacon[113] goes to the book, and has the subdeacon on his right hand, and on his left the thurifer and two acolythes, one of whom holds the reed, and the other the plate containing the five grains of incense.  All stand, as at the gospel:  he incenses the book, and then sings the Exultet[114].  After the words curvat imperia, he fixes in the candle the five grains of incense in the form of a cross[115].  At the words “ignis accendit” he lights the paschal candle with one of the three lights[116].  When the blessing, as it is called, is ended, the paschal candle is left lighted near the pulpit and the seats of the Card. deacons, and the triple candle is placed near the altar on the gospel-side[117].  The deacon then takes off his white vestments, puts on others of a purple colour, and joins the Card, celebrant, who accompanied by the ministers takes his seat on Faldistorio near the altar on the epistle-side, to hear the prophecies recited.

[Sidenote:  2.  Baptism administered.]

[Sidenote:  communion of children.]

2.  The administration of the Sacrament of Baptism forms an important feature in the ceremonies of this day:  indeed anciently it was customary to confer it only on holy-saturday, and the eve of Whit-sunday, except in case of necessity[118].  On these two days those Catechumens who were sufficiently instructed, and also children, used to be baptised[119] by the bishop, and by the bishop of Rome as well as others[120]; and after they had been baptised, they all received Confirmation and the holy Eucharist[121].