Father Roberto A. Orellana, pastor, lights a baptismal candle from the Easter candle after baptizing neophyte Reginald Hodges Saturday night March 22 at St. Augustine Church in Covington. Parishes throughout the archdiocese celebrated the Easter Vigil that night and more than 1,500 people received the sacraments of initiation and became full members of the Catholic Church. (Photos by Thomas Spink/Archdiocese of Atlanta)

Father Roberto A. Orellana, center, lights the Easter fire outside St. Augustine Church in Covington for the Easter Vigil. Assisting are Deacon Tom Metzger, second from left, and, left to right, altar servers Anthony Cammarta and James and Tony Pratt.

Brann, Aaron and Yoircia Garcia watch the solemn liturgy Saturday night.

Catechumen Reginald Hodges, left, is baptized by Father Orellana as altar server James Pratt looks on. The parish also welcomed three candidates into the Catholic Church who were already baptized but received confirmation.

Sara Lopez Hernandez, Laura Miranda, Monica Louise Schuette and Reginald Hodges, front row, left to right, came into full communion with the Catholic Church March 22 at the Easter Vigil at St. Augustine Church, Covington. Standing behind them are Father Roberto A. Orellana, pastor, left, and Deacon Tom Metzger. The parish gathered outside the church where the Easter fire was lit symbolizing the light of Christ and then processed into the church where the solemn liturgy took place. Throughout the Archdiocese of Atlanta over 1,500 people became full members of the Catholic Church on this night.

Lector Don Forbes gives the first reading at the Easter Vigil Mass March 22.

Altar server Anthony Cammarta lights the candles of parishioners in the darkened church halfway through the Easter Vigil Mass.

St. Augustine pastor Father Roberto A. Orellana walks through the church blessing the parishioners with the new Easter water. The church was full with many standing at the back in the narthex. A reception followed the Mass with food prepared by parishioners.