The beautiful, ancient observances of Holy Saturday are the oldest in the Church. This is the day that we enter into the great mystery of the Resurrection from the dead of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is the last day of Lent, but it is the day on which the fasting of Lent is over. Since Our Blessed Lord died for us on Good Friday, Holy Mother Church stopped fasting on Holy Saturday in anticipation of Easter Sunday. Also, throughout the centuries, Saturday and Sunday never became known for penance, though some would observe a light fast. Saturday was given to Our Blessed Lady Mary, Our Dear Blessed Mother and Mother of the Church, and Sunday was, of course given to the celebration of the defeat of death by Jesus, Our Saviour. Every Sunday is a celebration of the Resurrection and every Saturday is a celebration of His Holy Mother; thus, weddings are traditionally held on Saturday.
There is no celebration of the Mass on Holy Saturday, just like Good Friday, since the Mass of the Easter Vigil is properly belonging to Easter Sunday; sundown being ritualistically part of the next day. The only time the Blessed Eucharist is given on Holy Saturday is when someone is in danger of death; thus Viaticum, (the final Holy Communion) is the only time a Catholic may communicate on this day.
There are so many wonderful reasons for the practices of Holy Mother Church and they are all waiting to be discovered! Simply read and pray and God will lead you to what you need to know.
On this day let us remember those who are suffering in this world and those Catholics and all Christians that are being persecuted for love of Christ. Pray for your family and for your own soul. Be grateful that you can worship God without persecution. Pray for the Ukraine, pray for prisoners, pray for the homeless and pray for the tortured.
Christ is the Light of the World, blessed be His Holy Name. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary!, Alle
luia! For He that was dead is risen, Alleluia!
