Saturday, 19 April

Readings — Rom. 6:3-11; Ps. 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Lk. 24:1-12.

1. The Holy Saturday Vigil is the "mother of all vigils," "the greatest and most noble of all solemnities" (Roman Missal). It is the turning point of the Paschal Triduum, the Passover of the new covenant, which marks Christ's passage from death to life. The roots of the Easter vigil reach back to the Apostolic generation.

2. For many centuries, no services were held on Holy Saturday. Beginning in 1955, the Church restored the evening Easter or Holy Saturday Vigil. It commemorates the final day which we traditionally associate with Christ's triumphant "descent into hell" or "to the dead."

The Vigil celebrates the 40-hr long-vigil that Christ's followers with the Blessed Mother held for him after his burial on Good Friday and before his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

3. The Gospels have fairly terse burial narrations:

Mt. 27:59-61; Mk. 15:46-47; Lk. 23:53-56;

Jn. 19:38-42 — Joseph of Arimathea (with Nicodemus) took the body of Jesus, wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid the body in his own new tomb and rolled a great stone to the door. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (the mother of Joses) were there, sitting opposite the door. Thus ends the first day, from sunset of Holy Thursday to sunset of Good Friday. On the 2nd day, from sunset of Good Friday to sunset of Holy Saturday, nothing happens. Jesus lies buried in the tomb. With the Blessed Mother, we wait at the tomb. It is the last day of Lent.

4. Our Apostles Creed tells us that after he was buried, "he descended into hell." Scripture calls the abode of the dead, "hell," "sheol" in Hebrew, "hades" in Greek. Jesus descended into the realms of the dead "as the Savior, proclaiming the Good News to the spirits imprisoned there" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 632; see 1 Pt. 3:18-19).

"The Gospel was preached even to the dead" (1 Pt. 4:6). He descended to the dead to free all the righteous souls who had died since the beginning of the world and allow them to reach heaven.

5. The 3rd day of the Easter Triduum begins at Sunset today, Holy Saturday. It is the apex of the Paschal Triduum, the holiest of all nights. It has the most beautiful and joyful litugy of the whole liturgical year, filled with powerful Scripture and beautiful liturgical traditions. It celebrates the story of salvation unfolding throughout history and the liturgy inspired by both the Old and New Testaments.

6. During the reign of Constantine (4th century), the evening of the vigil began with the lighting of a "new fire" and the paschal candle. This highlights the themes of darkness and light, the pivotal meaning of the Vigil. It begins in darkness, symbolizing the darkness that enveloped the earth after Christ's death.

It progressively transitions to light as the Paschal Candle is lit, symbolizing "the light of Christ, rising in glory," dispelling the darkness of our hearts and minds," and overcoming the darkness. As Pope Benedict XVI said, "Beginning with the resurrection, God's light spreads throughout the world and throughout history. This light alone — Jesus Christ — is the true light."

7. The Rites:

• The "Lucernarium," Latin for "Service of the Light," the Blessing of the Fire and preparation of the Paschal Candle outside the Church, procession into the darkened Church, which is gradually illuminated.

• The Easter Proclamation, the "Exsultet." This ancient poetic text, probably from the 4th century, celebrates the whole Easter mystery. "Exult, let them exult, the hosts of heaven... let the trumpet of salvation sound aloud our mighty King's triumph."

• Liturgy of the Word, recounting the history of salvation. The Readings prefigure aspects of the Resurrection. They prepare us for the Mass of the Vigil. After the last Old Testament Reading, the "Gloria in excelsis Deo," "Glory to God in the highest," makes it appearance, and all the candles at the altar are lit and the bells are rung in joy and glory to God.

• Baptismal Liturgy, if anyone is to be baptized. This signifies the transition from death to new life, a rebirth as God's adopted children.

• Blessing of Water.

• Renewal of Baptismal Promises. We declare a two-fold commitment: to turn away from sin and to turn to God in faith.

• Liturgy of the Eucharist. This is the high point of the Easter liturgy. For the 1st time the "alleluia" is sung 3 times before the Gospel. At the end of the Mass, the dismissal includes a final "Alleluia."

8. 1st Reading, Rm.8:3-11, God sent his Son as a human being in order to condemn human sin. We now live according to the spirit. So we are now concerned with the things of the spirit. The Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead gives life to our mortal bodies. Christ is in us.

9. Gospel, Lk. 24:1-12, The Empty Tomb — Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary, the mother of James go to the tomb of Jesus and see the stone rolled away. Two men in dazzling garments, tell them that Jesus has been raised from the dead. They report to the 11 disciples. To verify, Peter runs and sees the empty tomb and the burial cloths. He goes home completely astounded. 

10. Prayer — O God, you make this most sacred night radiant with the glory of the Lord's resurrection, stir up in your Church a spirit of adoption, so that, renewed in body and mind, we may render you undivided service, through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord. Amen. (Collect for the Mass of Holy Saturday Vigil).

Christus resurrexit! Alleluiah! Alleluiah!