Rejoice now
the throngs of angels in heaven!
Shine in glory, divine mysteries!
To the victory of such a mighty King, sound the trumpet, and proclaim salvation!
Rejoice, too, land, bathed in such dazzling light and sinking in the radiance of the eternal King,
behold, how throughout the world the darkness has quickly disappeared!
Rejoice, too, mother Church,
adorned with the brilliance of such bright light!
And in the mighty song of the people, may this holy house of God
echo with that joy!
(opening verses of the hymn Exultet; 5th–7th century)
