Today we remember Christ in the tomb. It is called Holy Saturday; it is a special day in the Triduum and is the last day of preparation before Easter. Early Christians observed this day as a day of prayer and penance, patiently waiting at the tomb for Jesus’ resurrection. It also commemorates the final day of Christ’s death, which customarily is associated with his triumphant descent into hell. It is also called Easter Vigil, labeled after the time the celebration takes place. There are four major features during this celebration:
Service of the Light
Service of the Word
Solemn Baptism
The Holy Eucharist
The Service of Light: The celebration of Holy Saturday begins outside the Church with the Service of Light. The faithful gather around the Easter Fire in a suitable place around the Church while the priests and other ministers assembled for the blessing of the fire and the Paschal Candle. This flame is then divided yet “never dimmed by shedding of its light”. All then process into the Church; with the priest or deacon gradually proclaiming Christ as the light. At the sanctuary the great Easter Proclamation otherwise called the Exsultet is sung. This great proclamation reminds us of what Christ and God have done for us. (It is advisable to use the language the people can understand (English) in order for them to be able to relate with the rich meaning therein). The Paschal candle represents the Risen Christ whose light shines in the darkness of the world.
The Service of the Word: After the above; we are presented with nine readings; seven from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. For pastoral reasons the Old Testament readings may be reduced in number but not without the reading from Exodus 14. All the readings trace the history of salvation from the story of Creation to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The “Gloria” is sung at the end of the last reading, the bells in the church are rung. Then the reader proclaims the reading from the Apostle; after that the priests solemnly chants the “Alleluia” thereafter the psalm and the reading from the Gospel is followed by the homily.
Solemn Baptism: The third part of the Easter Vigil is the Liturgy of Baptism and the focus of action switches from the ambo to the font which has been refilled. The Paschal Candle is taken from its stand and brought to the font. The Litany of the Saints is said or sung. The priest says the prayer of blessing part of which reflects on the ways in which water has featured in the history of humanity’s salvation. Where it is possible the Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated. At this point, the faithful are called to renew their own baptismal promises just as the clerics renewed their promises during the Chrism mass. Thus, the season of Lent brings the whole church to rebirth, renewal and revival.
The Holy Eucharist: The Liturgy of the Eucharist is celebrated in the usual manner.
It is the prayer of the Church that this season will be the dawn of greater appreciation of our Catholic faith and salvation history.
Father Daniel
