Z
Zach
Guest
Is this common? I won’t be able to make any sundown Masses Easter Saturday. I will check with Parishes in the area but want to get feedback here first.
Thanks
Thanks
Last edited:
- Status
S
SuscipeMeDomine
Guest
The Easter Vigil takes place earlier than midnight. It starts after darkness so perhaps 8pm or so and lasts for a couple of hours or more depending on how many readings are included and how many people are receiving the sacraments.
D
Dlee
Guest
I’m not quite sure what you are asking. In your previous thread, it was verified that you could attend the Saturday Easter Vigil Mass (at my Parish it is at 7 PM this year) and that will fulfill your Sunday Mass obligation. If you are asking if some parishes have a true midnight Mass - I don’t know. You would have to check out the parishes in your area. I believe the Easter Vigil at our Cathedral starts at 10 PM. (Our Christmas Midnight Mass actually starts at 11 PM.)
P
Phemie
Guest
Some parishes have their Easter Vigil after midnight, but I think those are few and far between. Generally, the later Easter falls, the later the Vigil will be since it must start after full dark.
Z
Zach
Guest
That’s what I’m asking. I always go to the 8pm but can’t this year. I will check around but just wanted to get feedback here first.
A
Aspidistraflyer
Guest
Easter Vigil Mass is prohibited from beginning at sundown.
The Roman Missal says “not until after sunset,” and the US bishops have ruled
“45 minutes to one full hour after ‘civil twilight’ should be the earliest time for this vigil to begin.” For those of you who don’t know astronical terms - absolute earliest is about 1 hour and 15 minutes after sunset.
The ideal time, liturgically, is after all light has left the sky (after astronomical twilight) and ending before dawn.
However, very very few priests follow the norms, just as they disregard having to do ALL the readings at the vigil mass.
The Roman Missal says “not until after sunset,” and the US bishops have ruled
“45 minutes to one full hour after ‘civil twilight’ should be the earliest time for this vigil to begin.” For those of you who don’t know astronical terms - absolute earliest is about 1 hour and 15 minutes after sunset.
The ideal time, liturgically, is after all light has left the sky (after astronomical twilight) and ending before dawn.
However, very very few priests follow the norms, just as they disregard having to do ALL the readings at the vigil mass.
Last edited:
A
Aspidistraflyer
Guest
So, no, it isn’t common at all, but it should be.
Z
Zach
Guest
10 pm might work for me. 11 pm probably will. Hopefully I can find one that late.
T
TomH1
Guest
I do not think midnight is at all common for the Paschal Vigil. Many parishes do not even have Midnight Mass at midnight on Christmas Day. I recently read (I meant, but forgot to, note where, so cannot cite my source 
) that it is the convention that the Paschal Vigil be celebrated at midnight.
) that it is the convention that the Paschal Vigil be celebrated at midnight.
7
7_Sorrows
Guest
You can’t make a sunrise service Easter morning perhaps at another parish if yours doesn’t have one.
I have never heard of a midnight Easter Vigil Mass.
The Easter Vigil Mass at 6:30 or 7:00 is usually over 2 hours to begin with sometimes 3 depending how many people are to be baptized and confirmed.
I have never heard of a midnight Easter Vigil Mass.
The Easter Vigil Mass at 6:30 or 7:00 is usually over 2 hours to begin with sometimes 3 depending how many people are to be baptized and confirmed.
T
twf
Guest
6:30 or 7??? That early?? Wow. Must get dark pretty early where you live. Near the equator?
9 PM is common here as by April it stays light fairly late and the Church forbids the vigil to start before sundown.
9 PM is common here as by April it stays light fairly late and the Church forbids the vigil to start before sundown.
Last edited:
7
7_Sorrows
Guest
I live in Arizona. We don’t do the time change because in the summer we don’t want extra hours of daylight!
Z
Zach
Guest
Is that different from the Sunday morning Easter Masses? If so I don’t know any Parishes near me that have that. Isn’t that mostly done in Protestant Churches?
A
angell1
Guest
no, not very common, my parish’s vigil usually starts abour 8 or 9.
are you not able to go to mas on sunday either?
are you not able to go to mas on sunday either?
Z
Zach
Guest
I can go Sunday. I like attending the Vigil too. It looks like I’ll have to miss it this year. Thanks for the replies.
7
7_Sorrows
Guest
Catholic churches can have sunrise services as well.
L
Loud-living-dogma
Guest
Doesn’t the term “Midnight Mass” only refer to Christmas Eve midnight? I’ve never heard it applied to Easter or any other holiday, myself.
F
Flopfoot
Guest
Maronite Catholics have a midnight mass on Easter
O
OldCAFMember
Guest
Midnight Mass on New Year’s Eve is a thing, too. We have one at our parish.
7
7_Sorrows
Guest
We used to have a midnight Mass for Mary, the Mother of God.
- Status