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)
