S
seeker_b
Guest
I read on another site that the Easter Vigil is four hours long. Is this true?
- Status
P
palmas85
Guest
Used to be close to that, or at least it felt like it
a long time ago. I think that in some of the Eastern Liturgies it might still be kind of long, but no, it is nowhere near that long in the Pauline Rite.
P
puzzleannie
Guest
If there are no baptisms, and if all the readings are done it is about an hour and 45 minute to 2 hours, depending on if readings are chanted or not. If there are baptisms it takes longer depending on how many people, and how long it takes them to get dressed (if baptized by immersion). We usually do only 3 of the OT readings (there are 9, I think) and have about 10 baptisms, so it usually takes about 2 1/2 hours. Eastern Rite liturgies are longer. I attended an Orthodox Easter in Cleveland that began at Midnight and lasted until dawn, simply sublime. In my previous parish a lot more of the Mass was sung or chanted so, with baptisms, it took about 3 hours.
W
WanderAimlessly
Guest
Considering:
*]Lighting of the Candle
*]Procession
*]Proclaimation
*]7 Readings from the Old Testament
*]7 Psalms after each reading
*]1 Reading from the Epistles
*]The Gospel Reading
*]Liturgy of Baptism (Baptisms, Confirmations, and renewal of Baptismal Promises)
*]Liturgy of the Eucharist
I would say it could go 4 hours.
B
Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
It depends on the number of people being Baptized or being received. It usually averages 3 hours here.
B
brotherhrolf
Guest
Mine is a cathedral parish and three hours is about right. I’ve sung as a choir member for over 18 years. It never gets old and the time passes quickly. It’s not about us. It is the story of Salvation. And for me, I really enjoy seeing the elect and the catechumens come into HMC.
I went to an Eastern Orthodox Great Vigil and it was over six hours long. Even better. I really enjoyed everyone emptying the church and going outside to light the Easter fire saying Christ is risen! Indeed he has risen!
I went to an Eastern Orthodox Great Vigil and it was over six hours long. Even better. I really enjoyed everyone emptying the church and going outside to light the Easter fire saying Christ is risen! Indeed he has risen!
B
Beno
Guest
I heard that the Orthodox do everything in 3’s. 2 hours x 3 = 6. Just joking! God bless the Orthodox! Were I not already Catholic, I would lean next towards Orthodoxy. I yearn for unity between Catholicism and Orthodoxy. Wouldn’t that be great!:yup:
A
Andruschak
Guest
Thanks for the heads-up. I hadn’t realized that the Easter Vigil could take so long.
My RCIA Schedule sheet has this for Holy saturday:
@@@
Holy saturday - Morning Service 7:45 - 9:00 AM. Mini retreat for all til 12 Noon. Dismissal at 12 Noon to rest and return at 6:30 PM for the Vigil.
Reception to follow in the Parish hall.
@@@
So it may well be after 9:30 PM when the Vigil ends. Going to be a long day
P
puzzleannie
Guest
bear in mind the Vigil is not supposed to start until it is completely dark, with the lighting of the Paschal flame. This year it is April 7, Holy Saturday, which is after daylight savings time begins, so it will be even later. Last year, April 15 we began at 8 pm and ended at about 10:30. We do not have a reception afterward because we usually baptize so many children, and they are just plain too tired.
I recommend strongly to parents that they not plan a celebration that evening, but wait and have whatever they plan on Easter Sunday. For one, the experience can be intensely emotional, and the best thing for the neophyte right after is silence and rest. For another thing, any other celebration is an anti-climax to the supreme celebration, Easter. Parishes plan these receptions so the parish can meet the neophytes, but that can be done the following Sunday more effectively.
I recommend strongly to parents that they not plan a celebration that evening, but wait and have whatever they plan on Easter Sunday. For one, the experience can be intensely emotional, and the best thing for the neophyte right after is silence and rest. For another thing, any other celebration is an anti-climax to the supreme celebration, Easter. Parishes plan these receptions so the parish can meet the neophytes, but that can be done the following Sunday more effectively.
B
Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
There should not be any type of Mass or Communion service on Holy Saturday morning. Holy Saturday should be a very vacant day liturgically until the Easter Vigil @ sundown. I have held an RCIA retreat beginning @ 4pm with a simple meal before the Mass of the Last Supper until 2pm on Holy Saturday. I have also held shorter retreats from 7AM until 12:30 on Holy Saturday.Thanks for the heads-up. I hadn’t realized that the Easter Vigil could take so long.
My RCIA Schedule sheet has this for Holy saturday:
@@@
Holy saturday - Morning Service 7:45 - 9:00 AM. Mini retreat for all til 12 Noon. Dismissal at 12 Noon to rest and return at 6:30 PM for the Vigil.
Reception to follow in the Parish hall.
@@@
So it may well be after 9:30 PM when the Vigil ends. Going to be a long day
Everyone understands they are to be doing nothing except praying and reflecting and anticipating. No cooking, party planning, picking people up at the airport, baking, etc.
A
Andruschak
Guest
I’ll mention that part about no mass on saturday morning to my RCIA instructors, but it may be too late to do anything. As for “doing nothing except prayer etc” that will be no problem for me. But I am a confirmed bachelor
J
Joe_Kelley
Guest
Note that many places now have Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours on Saturday [also Thursday and Friday] mornings. We have MP followed by a rather long hour or more] rehearsal of the Vigil in the morning.
B
Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
Holy Saturday should not be a day for rehearsing the Easter Vigil. That should take place before Holy Week begins. MP I’d agree with, for those who pray the Office. Holy Saturday should be a day of prayer and reflection for the all Catholic faithful, not just the Catechumens and Candidates.
L
lak611
Guest
It sounds like what you said they are having is ok. Morning service might be Morning Prayer. They wouldn’t call it a service if it was actually a Mass.I’ll mention that part about no mass on saturday morning to my RCIA instructors, but it may be too late to do anything. As for “doing nothing except prayer etc” that will be no problem for me. But I am a confirmed bachelor
M
Morning_Star15
Guest
The Easter Vigil is shorter in my parish - about 2 hours to 2.5 houts, since they only do 4 readings instead of 8 - How strict a rule is it that all 7 OT readings be done, followed by the Gospel reading? For once I’d like to get the full experience of the Easter Vigil the way it’s supposed to be done.
- How strict a rule is it that all 7 OT readings be done, followed by the Gospel reading? For once I’d like to get the full experience of the Easter Vigil the way it’s supposed to be done.
A
Andruschak
Guest
WOW! You’re right. I didn’t notice that distinction between “service” and “mass” I’ll clear it up at our next RCIA Dismissal on 14 January, and get back to you.
M
m134e5
Guest
I’ve heard the Easter Vigil Masses at Franciscan University of Steubenville can be that long.
There are several parts to the Easter Vigil liturgy. All the things that make the Easter Vigil great- Censing the altar and the church, taking time during the parts of the liturgy intended for private reflection, long homilies, singing all verses of hymns, readers who read (all the readings) slow and cantors and choirs that sing long psalm settings (all the psalms) and other songs, lots of baptisms and confirmations, the priest taking a long time for the sprinkling rite after the baptisms, the priest using the Roman Canon (as is fitting for the Roman Rite), and long communion lines- could easily take 4 hours. If they do the bare minimum number of readings, keep the music simple, and don’t have very many converts, and the Church is small (making for small communion lines), then it may not be longer than 1 and 1/2 hours (which I think is cutting it WAY too short).
When I came into the Church, we met in the morning for morning prayer, had a little retreat, then the candidates did their first confessions, then we had a lunch, then we were free until the evening. Ask your RCIA director how long it will take.
The Easter vigil I was baptized in was 3 hours long, and they didn’t even do all the readings. The next one was the same way except the priest invalidated it (needless to say I left that parish). The next two were reverent and all, but they dropped everything that was optional and they started too early. Hopefully things will be different next time.
There are several parts to the Easter Vigil liturgy. All the things that make the Easter Vigil great- Censing the altar and the church, taking time during the parts of the liturgy intended for private reflection, long homilies, singing all verses of hymns, readers who read (all the readings) slow and cantors and choirs that sing long psalm settings (all the psalms) and other songs, lots of baptisms and confirmations, the priest taking a long time for the sprinkling rite after the baptisms, the priest using the Roman Canon (as is fitting for the Roman Rite), and long communion lines- could easily take 4 hours. If they do the bare minimum number of readings, keep the music simple, and don’t have very many converts, and the Church is small (making for small communion lines), then it may not be longer than 1 and 1/2 hours (which I think is cutting it WAY too short).
When I came into the Church, we met in the morning for morning prayer, had a little retreat, then the candidates did their first confessions, then we had a lunch, then we were free until the evening. Ask your RCIA director how long it will take.
The Easter vigil I was baptized in was 3 hours long, and they didn’t even do all the readings. The next one was the same way except the priest invalidated it (needless to say I left that parish). The next two were reverent and all, but they dropped everything that was optional and they started too early. Hopefully things will be different next time.
K
KathleenElsie
Guest
I attended last year. It was wonderful. Just in my case I would not bring children unless they are sedated LOL.
K
Kevin42
Guest
Last year, our Easter Vigil mass was a little over 3 hours if I remember correctly. It was such a good mass I was able to overlook some of the liturgical flaws. Also, I went alone last year, but it was such an amazing experience that I think I am going to force my parents to go with me this year. Oh goodness I just can’t wait until Easter . It may be four hours long, but the spiritual gain this mass provided was just incredible! I get excited just thinking about it! To anyone who has thought about attending it, you definately need to.
. It may be four hours long, but the spiritual gain this mass provided was just incredible! I get excited just thinking about it! To anyone who has thought about attending it, you definately need to.
K
kleary
Guest
At my parish it is about 4 and a half hours long. When there are converts to be admitted to the Church and baptized at the Easter Vigil it will be even longer.
And believe me- when you are at the Tridentine Rite Easter Vigil- you do not even notice the time. It could go on forever and I could never get bored!
The Tridentine Rite Easter Vigil has many parts to it…12 prophecies read from the OT, blessing of new Holy water, and a lot of Gregorian Chant… a lot- litany of the Saints, two thuribles of incense…very much involved - a lot of work and a lot of effort… believe me I was MC at a few of them- well worth it - for the Glory of God.
Ken
- Status