Michael Brooks
Holy Saturday, also known as Grand Saturday, is a Christian observance that ends the Lenten season, falling on the day before Easter Sunday and marking the final day of Christ's death. In the Catholic Church, it is a day of mourning for Jesus' crucifixion and a celebration of his descent into hell, with prayers and fasting. The Easter Vigil is held at the end of the day, with the lighting of candles and fires to symbolise Christ's resurrection. The vigil is also an occasion for the baptism of catechumens and the confirmation of converts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | The day before Easter Sunday, between Good Friday and Easter Sunday |
| Other Names | Great Saturday, Grand Saturday, Angelic Night, Vigil of Easter |
| Purpose | To commemorate the day Jesus spent in the tomb, resting |
| Mood | A mixture of joy and sadness |
| Fasting | Encouraged but not required |
| Worship | Common prayer, singing of psalms and hymns, reading of Scriptures |
| Sacraments | Only Holy Communion in the form of Viaticum is permitted |
| Marriages | Forbidden |
| Readings | Acts of the Apostles, Sacred Scripture |
| Ceremonies | Blessing of new fire, lighting of lamps, candles and the paschal candle |
| Vigil | Easter Vigil, a transition to the Easter season |
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What You'll Learn
The Easter Vigil
The readings from Sacred Scripture constitute the second part of the Vigil. These readings give an account of the history of salvation, and the faithful are helped to meditate calmly upon them by the singing of the responsorial psalm, a silent pause, and the celebrant's prayer. The vigil is also devoted to the baptism of catechumens (unbaptized converts) and the confirmation and first communion of both catechumens and candidates (converts previously baptised in a different Christian faith tradition).
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The Blessed Virgin Mary is honoured
Holy Saturday is a Christian observance that ends the Lenten season, falling on the day before Easter Sunday and marking the day Christ's body lay in the tomb. It is a day of joy and sadness intermingled, commemorating the final day of Christ's death and his descent into hell, while also anticipating his Resurrection.
In the Catholic tradition, Holy Saturday is an important day for honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Solitude. This title refers to the grief and sorrow experienced by Mary, the mother of Jesus, upon his death. The image of a sorrowful Virgin Mary is often placed in churches for the veneration of the faithful, who gather to meditate on Christ's passion, death and descent into hell, awaiting his resurrection through prayer and fasting.
The Catholic Church celebrates this day with the reading of the Acts of the Apostles, followed by the Paschal Vigil, which includes the removal of the epitaphios, representing Christ prepared for burial, from the centre of the church to the altar table. The congregation remains in silence and darkness, awaiting the proclamation of the Resurrection of Christ. The Easter Vigil Mass, celebrated after sundown on Holy Saturday, is a significant part of the Catholic tradition, marking the official start of the Easter season.
The Blessed Virgin Mary, honoured as Our Lady of Solitude, is a central aspect of Catholic devotion on Holy Saturday. Her image, placed in churches, serves as a focal point for the faithful to reflect on their sorrow and grief, mirroring Mary's own experience of loss. This honouring of Mary is unique to Holy Saturday and underscores the importance of this day in the Catholic liturgical calendar.
The day is also marked by the limited celebration of the Sacraments, with Holy Communion given only as Viaticum to those in danger of death, in anticipation of their journey to the afterlife. This aligns with the early Church's practice of fasting and penance on Holy Saturday, preparing for the joy of the Easter feast and the celebration of Christ's Resurrection.
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Fasting and abstinence
Holy Saturday is a significant day for Catholics, marking the end of Lent and the final day of Holy Week. It is a day of mourning and reflection, commemorating the day Jesus lay in the tomb after his crucifixion. While fasting and abstinence are not mandatory, they are encouraged to remember the sorrowful nature of the day and prepare for the joy of the upcoming Easter feast.
Historically, Holy Saturday was the only Saturday when fasting was permitted in the early Church, and it was observed with an absolute fast from food for 40 hours before the Easter feast. This practice continued until the rules for fasting and abstinence were revised in 1969. Today, while fasting is not required, it is still practised by some Catholics on Holy Saturday as a form of devotion and spiritual discipline.
Fasting on Holy Saturday involves refraining from food and, in some cases, water for a set period. Catholics may choose to abstain from specific foods or follow a partial fast, consuming only one full meal throughout the day. This physical act of self-denial is meant to be accompanied by spiritual reflection and prayer, allowing individuals to focus on their faith and seek guidance from God.
Abstinence practices may include refraining from meat or other specific foods, as well as avoiding certain activities or behaviours. Some Catholics may choose to abstain from entertainment or luxuries, such as watching television or using social media, to focus on prayer and meditation. These practices are meant to create a sense of sacrifice and self-discipline, mirroring the sacrifices made by Jesus and his disciples.
The combination of fasting and abstinence on Holy Saturday is intended to help Catholics align themselves with the passion and death of Christ, preparing them for the celebration of his resurrection on Easter Sunday. While not mandatory, these practices are seen as a way to deepen one's faith and participate more fully in the Easter Triduum, which includes Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
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The lighting of candles
The Easter Vigil Mass often begins outside the church, where a charcoal brazier or Easter fire is lit to represent the first vigil. The paschal candle, which is a large candle that is blessed and lit during the Easter Vigil, is an important symbol of the celebration. The paschal candle is typically lit by a priest, who then leads the faithful into the church for the Mass. The light from the paschal candle is gradually passed to smaller candles held by those in attendance, and the electric lighting is switched off.
The lighting of the paschal candle and the smaller candles held by the congregation represents Christ's passing from death to life and is a powerful symbol of the joy and hope found in the Resurrection. The use of candles and fire during the Easter Vigil Mass is a longstanding tradition in the Catholic Church, dating back to the early Church and the Middle Ages.
In addition to the lighting of candles, the Easter Vigil Mass includes readings from Sacred Scripture, the singing of psalms and hymns, and the celebration of baptism for catechumens (unbaptized converts). The vigil is a time of devotion and meditation on the mystery of Christ's death and resurrection, and the lighting of candles plays a central role in creating a solemn and sacred atmosphere for this reflection.
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The reading of Acts of the Apostles
Holy Saturday is a Christian religious observance that ends the Lenten season, falling on the day before Easter Sunday and the last day of Holy Week. It commemorates the day that Jesus lay in his tomb, and his disciples mourned his death.
In the Catholic Church, the day is marked by prayer and fasting, and the reading of Acts of the Apostles is a key part of this. The Acts of the Apostles is a book of the Bible, believed to be written by Luke the Evangelist, a doctor who travelled with Paul the Apostle. It is the second volume of Luke's two-volume work, continuing his account of biblical history.
The Acts of the Apostles is read in its entirety on Holy Saturday, after the Vesperal Liturgy is celebrated in the morning. The reading describes how the salvation promised to Israel in the Old Testament and accomplished by Jesus has now, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, been extended to the Gentiles. This was accomplished through divinely chosen representatives, whom Jesus prepared during his historical ministry and commissioned after his resurrection as witnesses to all that he taught.
The book tells of the Day of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and how the first church was formed as a result. It describes the spread of the Christian message to the Gentiles, as the Jews had rejected it. The Holy Spirit is portrayed as the driving force behind this spread, with Luke placing more emphasis on its role than any other evangelist.
The reading also recounts the apostles' "Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence". It tells of the apostles' missionary ventures, including Paul's journey to Asia Minor, which enjoyed success among the Gentiles.
The reading of the Acts of the Apostles on Holy Saturday is a sacred custom, providing the perfect complement to the themes of Holy Week. It reminds Catholics of the power of God through Jesus Christ and inspires them to go out and preach his word.
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Frequently asked questions
Holy Saturday is the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, marking the end of Lent, the final day of Christ's death and the day he lay in the tomb.
Holy Saturday is a day of mourning and expectation of Christ's Resurrection. It is a day of prayer, fasting, and devotion. The Easter Vigil is also celebrated at the end of the day, marking the official start of the Easter season.
The Easter Vigil is a ceremony that includes the lighting of fires and candles to symbolise Christ's Resurrection. It may also include the blessing of new converts through baptism and confirmation.
The Easter Vigil was initially held throughout the night, coinciding with the day and moment of the Resurrection. In the 8th century, these ceremonies were moved to Saturday afternoon and later to Saturday morning. In 1955, the Roman Catholic Church restored the Easter Vigil ceremony.
Holy Saturday is a significant day for Catholics as it is a day to remember and meditate on Christ's Passion and death, and to await his Resurrection. It is also a day to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Solitude, referring to her grief at the death of her son.
