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Holy Saturday - Definition and Overview |
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Holy Saturday is the day before Easter in the Christian calendar. It is sometimes called Easter Even, especially by Anglicans and referred to by Filipinos as Black Saturday. It is the seventh and last day of Holy Week, and the third and final day of what is often referred to as the Easter Triduum. Holy Saturday is also often incorrectly called Easter Saturday, a term that correctly refers to the following Saturday.
In the Roman Catholic Church, the altar is stripped completely bare, the administration of the sacraments is severely limited (only penance and Holy Communion for those in imminent danger of death is authorized.), and both wedding and funeral Masses are strictly forbidden (indeed, no Mass at all appears in the liturgy for this day, the only day in the entire liturgical year for which this is true). Prior to 1970, Roman Catholics were required to both fast and abstain from meat on Holy Saturday.
At midnight on Holy Saturday, the Easter Vigil Midnight Mass is solemnized, marking the official start of the Easter season.
See also
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