How early to arrive for Easter Vigil?

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AClaire11

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I’m sorry if this seems like a frivolous question, but it’s hard to get a parking spot on normal Sundays if I don’t show up at least 10 minutes before the 11am Mass! The parking lot was completely overflowing for Maundy Thursday, too. It’s frustrating, but I’m glad our new parish is thriving! Do you think arriving 30min early would be early enough to find a parking space and a seat? I have a chronic knee injury, so I really cannot stand for the entire Mass.
 
That’s really a question to ask someone from your parish.

In my parish, the Easter Vigil gets a smaller crowd than the Masses on Easter morning. Many people find the length of the Vigil daunting and stay away. On Easter morning the church is filled to overflowing. But your parish may be different. The parish secretary could probably advise you.
 
I did try to call, but no one picked up. I left a message but I doubt they’ll call back. It’s got to be pretty hectic over there.
 
SuscipeMeDomine said:
That’s really a question to ask someone from your parish.

In my parish, the Easter Vigil gets a smaller crowd than the Masses on Easter morning. Many people find the length of the Vigil daunting and stay away. On Easter morning the church is filled to overflowing. But your parish may be different. The parish secretary could probably advise you.
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But good luck getting in touch with the parish secretary today. Our office is closed today and Monday. If your parish has Stations of the Cross during the day today, you might be able to ask someone there.

I leave my house an hour before the Vigil Mass starts. It takes me about 15 minutes to get to the parish. At our parish, you would get a seat if you came later but it would be all the way in the back and if you have a larger group, they might not sit together. Before we built our new church, if you didn’t get there early, you would have stood.
 
Why not just show up 30 minutes early and pray the rosary before the vigil starts?
 
I have just got back from our church, and there must have been about a hundred people standing down the sides, at the back, in the vestibule and actually outside in the garden! I was amazed (my first time at a Good Friday service). Must have been about 500 people there.
 
AClaire11 said:
I’m sorry if this seems like a frivolous question, but it’s hard to get a parking spot on normal Sundays if I don’t show up at least 10 minutes before the 11am Mass! The parking lot was completely overflowing for Maundy Thursday, too. It’s frustrating, but I’m glad our new parish is thriving! Do you think arriving 30min early would be early enough to find a parking space and a seat? I have a chronic knee injury, so I really cannot stand for the entire Mass.
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This is simply anectodal evidence so take it for what it’s worth…

Our parish attendance for the Easter Vigil is typically similar to that for a Sunday Mass. The church and parking lot will be full but there are normally still spaces. (We have a rocky dirt overflow lot just in case.)

What you do need to know is how your parish handles things prior to the Vigil. Our parish allows limited access to the church prior to the Vigil. We meet outside in the courtyard around the Easter fire and don’t enter the Church until the Easter candle has been lighted. People are standing around in the courtyard for some time prior to the Vigil starting.

But my parish is not a typical example.
 
I’d second the idea of getting there early and praying a rosary while you wait… .
 
My parish is our Cathedral, which is usually packed. People typically start arriving an hour to 45 minutes early.
 
I usually get there 30 minutes early and pray the rosary and divine mercy.
 
We have a large parish, and about 30 catechumens, and traditionally have a very large turnout for the Easter Vigil. I go 45 min prior to the start time.
 
We got there 45 minutes early, and we really didn’t need to get there until 20 minutes before. It was a beautiful service 👍

Thanks for the help, and Happy Easter!!! Христос воскрес!!!
 
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