The bees!

If you attended the Easter Vigil mass last Saturday night, you probably heard something that hasn't been heard in years. Bees! I'm referring, of course, to the sung Easter Exsultet Paschal Proclamation according to the New English Translation where we find references to the contribution of bees (in bold below) now restored:

On this, your night of grace, O holy Father,
accept this candle, a solemn offering,
the work of bees and of your servants’ hands,
an evening sacrifice of praise, this gift from your most holy Church.

But now we know the praises of this pillar,
which glowing fire ignites for God’s honour,
a fire into many flames divided,
yet never dimmed by sharing of its light,
for it is fed by melting wax,
drawn out by mother bees to build a torch so precious.

The reference to the bees was omitted from the previous English translation. True, most candles today are not made from bees wax, but the image is important just the same. And thanks to Hugo for posting the recording: