• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Catechetical Centre

The message of Jesus, proclaimed in a simple, enthusiastic way

  • Home
  • Primary School Resources
  • Post-primary School Resources
  • About Us
  • Thought for the Week
  • Books
  • Webcam
  • Contact Us
  • View all our Resource Categories

Holy Saturday 3rd April 2021

Published: March 29, 2021

In the early Church Holy Saturday was known as Great, or Grand, Saturday, Holy Saturday, the Angelic Night, the Vigil of Easter. It is a day of joy and sadness intermingled; it is the close of the season of Lent and penance, and the beginning of paschal time, which is one of rejoicing. There is almost nothing written in the scriptures about the day after Christ died. There are no Masses in the Catholic church during daytime of Holy Saturday The Eucharist has been removed from all the tabernacles throughout the world, and from adoration chapels. If you were to go into any Catholic church in the world on Holy Saturday it would feel empty. Jesus asks us to wait quietly in prayer at the tomb where Jesus was placed after his death. Below are some ideas about how you might wait with Jesus on Holy Saturday.

  • Step into an empty church today and sit for a few minutes and you will understand His true presence in the Eucharist more deeply now, because of His absence.
  • Attend online/in person Morning Prayer in your parish church.
  • Today is a day of waiting. Place a clock in your prayer space today.
  • Today is traditionally a quiet day. See if you can set some time aside for silence, where no one is allowed to speak.
  • After sunset light a candle in your home and participate in the Easter Vigil liturgies online/in person. Check the diocesan website for times of Masses (www.derrydiocese.org)

 

You may also be interested in:

  • Bible colour-ins
FacebookTweet
  • PreviousGood Friday 2nd April 2021
  • NextA Special Place to Be-Briege Lewis
  • Primary Sidebar

    Other Resources

    • Catholic Schools Week 2023 – Conversations with Bishop Donal McKeown
    • Catholic Schools Week 2023 ‘Walking Together in Faith and Love’ – Bishop Donal McKeown
    • Confirmation Preparation Sessions 16th-19th January 2023-Resource Pack

    Thought For The Week

    Catholic Schools Week 2023 ‘Walking Together in Faith and Love’ – Bishop Donal McKeown

    This Christmas May Christ be Born Again in Us – Fr Pat O’Hagan

    Listen, I bring you News of Great Joy – Celine McKenna

    Footer

    Contact Us

    +44 (0)28 7126 4087
    ddcc@derrydiocese.org

    Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre
    The Gate Lodge,
    2 Francis Street,
    Derry,
    Northern Ireland
    BT48 7DS

    Office Hours

    Monday – Friday | 9:00am – 5:00pm

    Follow us on:

    • E-mail
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube