Easter Saturday or Holy Saturday is one of the most important days within Holy Week. Although it symbolizes a day of mourning, it commemorates the believers' wait between death and resurrection of Jesus.
If you usually celebrate and follow the traditions of this Catholic event, but you are not very clear about the meaning and the reason why the so-called Easter Vigil starts on this day, we clarify it in the following lines.
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What does Easter Saturday mean?
Easter Saturday is considered a day of mourning, but also of hope for the soon resurrection of Jesus. On this date, it is usually remembered the pain and bravery of the Virgin Mary, who performed a 40-hour vigil waiting for her son's awakening.
As it is remembered, Jesus gives his body and blood to save humanity and forgive sins committed, as a gesture of love to the people.
Is there any celebration on Easter Saturday?
Due to the already explained reason, there are no Eucharistic celebrations on this day, no bells are rung, and no other sacraments are administered besides confession and anointing of the sick. Even though the tabernacle is empty and the altar is stripped of all ornament, it is a day full of hope.
Why is it called Easter Saturday?
Its name is due to the fact that a celebration for the resurrection of Christ used to take place on Saturday morning. However, this event was moved to Sunday at the disposal of Pope Pius XII, who modified the liturgy in 1955. Since then, the date became a day of waiting and was simply called Holy Saturday.
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(With information from La República)