Day of Silence in church bulletin April 7, 2012?

[Kathryn_Ann]

I noticed that in our parish bulletin, the day of Holy Saturday, (and the Great Easter Vigil) that the day is also listed as “Day of Silence.” I see several explanations on the internet but am confused about the different meanings. I would be grateful for help on this and how it relates to our Catholicism so that I may participate.
Thank you

 

[Polycarp1]

sssssshhhhhhh! I can’t tell you right now!

 

[Truegrit]

It should be a day of inner reflections and contemplation. It does not have to be a day of utter silence (unless your monistic)because life must go on in daily necessities…say if you are a nurse, Dr. faimly member/caretaker. Still, we can quite ourselves and meditate on the meaning of the death and ressurrection of Christ. A holy hour before the Easter Vigil and before the Holy Secrement is a good way to end the day and enter a new one. Forgive my spelling. I hope this is helpful in some small measure.

 

[floresco]

I think this article describes this in a way you will find helpful:mb.com.ph/articles/315186/holy-saturday

According to an ancient Christian tradition, this day is spent in holy silence because the Lord Jesus who died on Good Friday is asleep in the flesh. Thus, “silence reigns on earth, a great silence and a great stillness.” Thus, in the Catholic Church, there is no mass today. In the ancient tradition as well, today is still a day of fasting until the Easter Vigil tonight.
…]
Holy Saturday is an opportunity for us to continue our reflections on God’s great love for us. In silence, let us ponder on how much God loves each one of us by dying on the cross. We also remember the Blessed Virgin Mary who stood by her Son Jesus all the way to the cross on Mount Calvary. May she, who loves her Son so much, inspire us to live the teachings of Jesus.

Not counting the Easter Vigil, which is anticipated from the next day, there is no Mass or Communion service on Holy Saturday. This is the only day of the year for which this is true.

 

[floresco]

Here is an ancient homily for Holy Saturday from the Vatican Archives: vatican.va/spirit/documents/spirit_20010414_omelia-sabato-santo_en.html It might be useful to meditate on.

"What is happening? Today there is a great silence over the earth, a great silence, and stillness, a great silence because the King sleeps; the earth was in terror and was still, because God slept in the flesh and raised up those who were sleeping from the ages. God has died in the flesh, and the underworld has trembled.

Truly he goes to seek out our first parent like a lost sheep; he wishes to visit those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. He goes to free the prisoner Adam and his fellow-prisoner Eve from their pains, he who is God, and Adam’s son.

The Lord goes in to them holding his victorious weapon, his cross. When Adam, the first created man, sees him, he strikes his breast in terror and calls out to all: ‘My Lord be with you all.’ And Christ in reply says to Adam: ‘And with your spirit.’ And grasping his hand he raises him up, saying: ‘Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.

‘I am your God, who for your sake became your son, who for you and your descendants now speak and command with authority those in prison: Come forth, and those in darkness: Have light, and those who sleep: Rise.

‘I command you: Awake, sleeper, I have not made you to be held a prisoner in the underworld. Arise from the dead; I am the life of the dead. Arise, O man, work of my hands, arise, you who were fashioned in my image. Rise, let us go hence; for you in me and I in you, together we are one undivided person.

‘For you, I your God became your son; for you, I the Master took on your form; that of slave; for you, I who am above the heavens came on earth and under the earth; for you, man, I became as a man without help, free among the dead; for you, who left a garden, I was handed over to Jews from a garden and crucified in a garden.

‘Look at the spittle on my face, which I received because of you, in order to restore you to that first divine inbreathing at creation. See the blows on my cheeks, which I accepted in order to refashion your distorted form to my own image.

'See the scourging of my back, which I accepted in order to disperse the load of your sins which was laid upon your back. See my hands nailed to the tree for a good purpose, for you, who stretched out your hand to the tree for an evil one.

`I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side, for you, who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side healed the pain of your side; my sleep will release you from your sleep in Hades; my sword has checked the sword which was turned against you.

‘But arise, let us go hence. The enemy brought you out of the land of paradise; I will reinstate you, no longer in paradise, but on the throne of heaven. I denied you the tree of life, which was a figure, but now I myself am united to you, I who am life. I posted the cherubim to guard you as they would slaves; now I make the cherubim worship you as they would God.

“The cherubim throne has been prepared, the bearers are ready and waiting, the bridal chamber is in order, the food is provided, the everlasting houses and rooms are in readiness; the treasures of good things have been opened; the kingdom of heaven has been prepared before the ages.”

 

[Kathryn_Ann]

:harp:

From Kathryn Ann, Original Poster on this thread:

Thank you all for these answers. I will definitely study all the links suggested and truly appreciate the time taken here to help me!
Blessings to all in Christ:heaven::harp::heaven: