Confused about the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday?

Why is there a fire outside, and what is that big candle Father carries in the church?

Blessing of the Fire

The opening rite of the Easter Vigil. The rite prior to Vatican II specified the lighting of "a new fire, struck from flint," but the Vatican II rite simply calls for the blessing of a fire (outdoors if possible, since the Latin term actually indicates a rather sizeable fire) that may already have been kindled before the arrival of the celebrant and ministers. The celebrant begins by reminding the assembly that "this is the passover of the Lord," observed by the Church throughout the world, as on this night she calls her children together "in vigil and in prayer." The fire is blessed, and then from it the Easter Candle is lighted, and from this in turn, eventually, the candles of the people and the altar tapers as well.

Without denying the practical character of the rite (light being needed, obviously, for the readings of a nocturnal vigil), the obvious symbolism, Christ the Light of the world, appears to have been present from the beginnings of the liturgical celebration of Easter.

Paschal Candle

The large wax candle blessed after the Easter Fire during the Service of Light which begins the Easter Vigil, it symbolizes "the light of Christ rising in glory, which dispels the darkness of our minds and hearts." The paschal candle is usually adorned with a cross, alpha and omega, and numerals of the current year. Grains of incense and stylized wax "nails" are generally implanted at the ends of the cross-bars and in the center of the cross. These adornments may be carried out before the Vigil begins or as part of the lighting  of the candle.

The deacon carries the paschal candle into the darkened church, pausing at three stations to chant, "Christ our Light!" to which the assembly responds, "Thanks be to God!" From its flame, the smaller candles of the faithful are lighted; then the deacon places the paschal candle on a stand before the ambo or near the altar, and by its light chants the magnificent Easter Proclamation, the Exsultet.

The candle may be used during the Easter Vigil at the blessing of the font, and is customarily lighted at Mass as well as Morning and Evening Prayer throughout the fifty days of the Easter Season. Following the last service on Pentecost Sunday, the paschal candle is removed to the baptistry, and from its light the candles of newly-baptized children are lighted throughout the year. The paschal candle also stands at the head of the casket during Funeral Masses, as a reminder that in Baptism the deceased person was incorporated into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.