Holy Saturday Vigil Mass

[FrDavid96]

Last night our Priest informed one of our Ushers that the Easter Vigil Mass does not excuse one from attending the Easter Sunday Mass. He said the Easter Vigil Mass is not the Sunday Mass. …

I cannot fathom a priest saying this. All I can think to say is that there must be some kind of misunderstanding.

Perhaps the priest said or intended something different, but it came across the wrong way. Perhaps your friend misunderstood or misquoted the priest.

Perhaps, under the circumstances, the priest felt that serving as an usher at that particular Mass would not be genuine participation (maybe the ushers at that parish hang out in the parking lot instead of going into the church?)

 

[jimkhong]

I cannot fathom a priest saying this. All I can think to say is that there must be some kind of misunderstanding.

Perhaps the priest said or intended something different, but it came across the wrong way. Perhaps your friend misunderstood or misquoted the priest.

Perhaps, under the circumstances, the priest felt that serving as an usher at that particular Mass would not be genuine participation (maybe the ushers at that parish hang out in the parking lot instead of going into the church?)

The Archdiocese of Newark did issue a guideline some time ago that clearly states that Easter midnight mass does fulfil Easter Sunday morning obligation. I can’t find it now. Does anyone know? I remember that guideline was especially useful.

 

[FrDavid96]

The Archdiocese of Newark did issue a guideline some time ago that clearly states that Easter midnight mass does fulfil Easter Sunday morning obligation. I can’t find it now. Does anyone know? I remember that guideline was especially useful.

Useful, perhaps. But really unnecessary. I can’t see how any competent priest would actually think that attending the (THE) principle Mass of Easter Sunday, ie the Vigil would fall short of meeting the obligation.

What I can imagine are slight misunderstandings. The priest says one thing, but the person hearing it doesn’t quite catch something subtle and therefore it’s misinterpreted; or the priest misunderstands the person’s question and answers it the wrong way.

I can see someone asking a priest “Father, is the Easter Vigil Mass different from a usual Saturday evening Mass?” The priest answers “yes, it’s completely different” because the priest is thinking of the ritual. The person goes away thinking “Father said the Mass is different, so I suppose he meant that it doesn’t count for Sunday.”

I can also imagine it the other way around. Father says something to indicate that the Easter Vigil Mass is unique, special, unusual, a-typical, &c. but the person walks away thinking as above.

The number of priests in the world is somewhere near half a million. I suppose a person could find a few who get this wrong. It’s just so extremely obvious an issue that it’s difficult to fathom.

 

[Pat_the_elder]

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
I remember going here for Easter Vigil circa 1970. Huge bonfire and with the backdrop there was a definite feeling of holiness about it, even at the age of 13. Little wonder that this area provided some of the scenery for the ‘Harry Potter’ movies

 

[jimkhong]

Useful, perhaps. But really unnecessary. I can’t see how any competent priest would actually think that attending the (THE) principle Mass of Easter Sunday, ie the Vigil would fall short of meeting the obligation.

What I can imagine are slight misunderstandings. The priest says one thing, but the person hearing it doesn’t quite catch something subtle and therefore it’s misinterpreted; or the priest misunderstands the person’s question and answers it the wrong way.

I can see someone asking a priest “Father, is the Easter Vigil Mass different from a usual Saturday evening Mass?” The priest answers “yes, it’s completely different” because the priest is thinking of the ritual. The person goes away thinking “Father said the Mass is different, so I suppose he meant that it doesn’t count for Sunday.”

I can also imagine it the other way around. Father says something to indicate that the Easter Vigil Mass is unique, special, unusual, a-typical, &c. but the person walks away thinking as above.

The number of priests in the world is somewhere near half a million. I suppose a person could find a few who get this wrong. It’s just so extremely obvious an issue that it’s difficult to fathom.

Yes, I am sure that you are right.

Correct me if I am wrong, but the Newark guidance seems to be written for the laity and not the priest. There is another one issued this year for the clergy with separate boxes for the different celebrations. Not that one. The one I am referring to is very simply written for understanding by persons not trained in liturgy.

The only reason I am raising it is that all the authority quoted so far (not just in this forum) is to rely on the canon law on assisting in Sunday vigil worship fulfilling Sunday obligations. The Newark document is the most authoritative document I have seen so far that explicitly said that Saturday midnight mass fulfils Easter Sunday morning obligation - even though it is only guidance and very simply written. Unless someone can point out another.

 

[FrDavid96]

Yes, I am sure that you are right.

Correct me if I am wrong, but the Newark guidance seems to be written for the laity and not the priest. There is another one issued this year for the clergy with separate boxes for the different celebrations. Not that one. The one I am referring to is very simply written for understanding by persons not trained in liturgy.

Consider how often this question gets asked on CAF.

It is a recurring topic every Christmas and every Easter. I promise you that next Christmas, the forums here will be full of this very question, just as they are now, around Easter.

So yes, I absolutely agree that there is confusion out there.

I find it strange, since the universal law changed in 1983 (before that, it was a collection of local permissions). After 34 years, one would think that the average Catholic would finally understand. That’s just not the case for this issue.

The only reason I am raising it is that all the authority quoted so far (not just in this forum) is to rely on the canon law on assisting in Sunday vigil worship fulfilling Sunday obligations. The Newark document is the most authoritative document I have seen so far that explicitly said that Saturday midnight mass fulfils Easter Sunday morning obligation - even though it is only guidance and very simply written. Unless someone can point out another.

I don’t know what other diocese might publish. Maybe the Newark diocese is the only one that got posted on CAF. I don’t know.

In general terms, but not having done any serious research on this, in my experience, the diocese usually leave it to the pastors to explain. I see it often in things like “question & answer” sections of diocese newspapers and online but I don’t see much in the way of a diocese going out of its way to specifically make the point.

 

[John_Yurich_USA]

I attend Saturday Vigil Mass the rest of the year but I attend Easter Sunday Mass instead of Holy Saturday Vigil Mass as Holy Saturday Vigil Mass is way too long(over 2 hours in duration).

 

[Phemie]

I attend Saturday Vigil Mass the rest of the year but I attend Easter Sunday Mass instead of Holy Saturday Vigil Mass as Holy Saturday Vigil Mass is way too long(over 2 hours in duration).

Nothing wrong with that, it’s your choice, but you are missing the most beautiful liturgy of the year.

 

[Phemie]

Technically, it is not correct to say that the Saturday midnight mass is an alternative for Easter Sunday morning mass. Both are different masses, unlike on a normal Sunday where Saturday evening mass and Sunday morning are the same masses, with the same readings.

Easter itself, which liturgically starts on Saturday sunset, has four masses: (i) evening mass, (ii) midnight mass; (iii) dawn mass (iv) mass of the day. Each of these four masses are intended for different times and have different readings. If you string all four Gospel readings together you get a single Easter narrative from John, from the initial realisation of the empty tomb to Jesus meeting Mary Magdalen on Sunday morning.

Masses (i) and (iii) are not often celebrated as parish masses while Masses (ii) and (iv) are usually celebrated part of the Triduum. Still, I guess the practicalities are that people who have been working hard for the midnight mass may find hard to return early next morning for mass again.

Are you perhaps confusing Easter with Christmas?

There are only two Masses for Easter: The Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. Christmas has the Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord; Mass During the Night; the Mass at Dawn; and Mass During the Day.

 

[FrDavid96]

Are you perhaps confusing Easter with Christmas?

There are only two Masses for Easter: The Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. Christmas has the Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord; Mass During the Night; the Mass at Dawn; and Mass During the Day.

Based on what I’m reading on these threads, it seems to me that there are places where it’s customary to have the Eastern Vigil Mass at Midnight. Too many people have said “Easter Midnight Mass” to be mere coincidence.

Still yes, you’re right. Christmas has the several Mass formulas; while Easter has only the two.

 

[Phemie]

Based on what I’m reading on these threads, it seems to me that there are places where it’s customary to have the Eastern Vigil Mass at Midnight. Too many people have said “Easter Midnight Mass” to be mere coincidence.

Still yes, you’re right. Christmas has the several Mass formulas; while Easter has only the two.

It’s true that some parishes have their Vigil at midnight or later. One Nova Scotia parish I know of had (not sure if it’s still the case) their Vigil after midnight, timed (after the first time) to end just at daybreak.
dol.ca/documents/2016/11/easter_vigil.pdf

 

[FrDavid96]

It’s true that some parishes have their Vigil at midnight or later. One Nova Scotia parish I know of had (not sure if it’s still the case) their Vigil after midnight, timed (after the first time) to end just at daybreak.
dol.ca/documents/2016/11/easter_vigil.pdf

I would love to do that!

I just don’t think I could make it happen, practically speaking. If I thought it would work (meaning that people would show up at that time), I would do it happily.

 

[Phemie]

I would love to do that!

I just don’t think I could make it happen, practically speaking. If I thought it would work (meaning that people would show up at that time), I would do it happily.

We don’t usually have any baptisms but to do this and have all the readings and everything is my dream. Sadly, when your priest (as was the case this year) has to celebrate the Vigil in another parish before he celebrates ours, then celebrate the Easter Day Mass for us then go to other parish to celebrate it there, it makes it near impossible.

Father, who is new to our area, was surprised at what he experienced this year. He celebrated the Triduum in the other parish: for a congregation of 1 at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper; 6 for Good Friday and about 10 for the Vigil.

 

[GoGoDiego]

I would love to do that!

I just don’t think I could make it happen, practically speaking. If I thought it would work (meaning that people would show up at that time), I would do it happily.

A certain church in Manila had the Easter Vigil at 3 am on Easter Sunday.It was followed by the traditional Salubong, or the processional reenactment of the meeting of Christ and the Virgin Mary.

 

[jimkhong]

Are you perhaps confusing Easter with Christmas?

There are only two Masses for Easter: The Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. Christmas has the Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord; Mass During the Night; the Mass at Dawn; and Mass During the Day.

Yes, you are right. Thanks for pointing it out. And thanks for those who affirmed the correction.

It was annoying though as I am one who usually prepare for a mass by going trough the readings before hand. Annoying to find out I have prepared with the ‘wrong’ readings. While it is not technically incorrect, I do not think it is pastorally appropriate and am glad when subsequent reverted to normal practice.