MERGED: Easter Vigil-obligation/Saturday Evening Mass

[agapewolf]

My mother (76) as well as my sister (50) both insist that Easter vigil ***use to ***not fill the Easter Sunday obligation. They understand it does now.

While I understand there use to not be a Saturday anticipated mass for Sunday, it seems to me that the whole idea of the vigil, celebrating the Resurrection would not be the same thing. Or has the Easter Vigil also changed?

 

[AJV]

My mother (76) as well as my sister (50) both insist that Easter vigil ***use to ***not fill the Easter Sunday obligation. They understand it does now.

While I understand there use to not be a Saturday anticipated mass for Sunday, it seems to me that the whole idea of the vigil, celebrating the Resurrection would not be the same thing. Or has the Easter Vigil also changed?

Yes, at one point it was held on Saturday morning, which did not satisfy the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday. The night vigil was introduced in 1951, and when it was re-approved in 1952, the obligation was held as fulfilled when the Vigil Mass proper was after midnight.

 

[agapewolf]

Yes, at one point it was held on Saturday morning, which did not satisfy the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday. The night vigil was introduced in 1951, and when it was re-approved in 1952, the obligation was held as fulfilled when the Vigil was aftermidnight.

But my sister is only 50.

 

[AJV]

But my sister is only 50.

I can think of two possible reasons, otherwise I have no clue!

(1) The Easter Vigil was celebrated at an hour much before midnight and the Ordinary of that diocese did not apply the indult (given more widely from 1967 onward) permitting the celebration of the then so-called “anticipated Mass” (basically what is current popularly known as the “Saturday vigil” Mass), or restricted its use in some way. Thus since the Mass commenced before midnight it could not fulfill the obligation as laid down in 1952, and since the Ordinary had not permitted/restricted the “anticipated Mass”, it could not fulfill the conditions laid down in 1967 and 1970

or

(2) It was allowed but it took some time to become actual practice, with people still following the older regulations.

 

[Digitonomy]

Additional evidence supporting the account of the OP’s relatives comes from post #30 in this thread, where we read:

I have a Vatican II Sunday/Holy Day Mass book - 1975 to 1999…I just noticed at the East Vigil Mass that it specifically says that the Vigil Mass on Saturday, which must begin no earlier that dusk, does not fulfil the Easter Sunday “obligation”… It says after the vigil Mass, a second Mass may be said for Easter Sunday…when did the Church make that change?

 

[Phemie]

Additional evidence supporting the account of the OP’s relatives comes from post #30 in this thread, where we read:

I have a Vatican II Sunday/Holy Day Mass book - 1975 to 1999…I just noticed at the East Vigil Mass that it specifically says that the Vigil Mass on Saturday, which must begin no earlier that dusk, does not fulfil the Easter Sunday “obligation”… It says after the vigil Mass, a second Mass may be said for Easter Sunday…when did the Church make that change?

At the very latest it would have changed in 1983 when the new Code of Canon Law was implemented, but I remember attending the Vigil back in the early 70s and it was never suggested that it didn’t fulfill our Easter Mass obligation.

 

[laszlo]

The anticipated Mass at Saturday evening became practice only around 1970. Before that the Sunday (or Holy Day of Obligation) was filled only by attending a Mass on that day.

Before the 1950’s it was clear that the Saturday morning Easter Vigil Mass does not fulfill the Easter Mass obligation. When in the 50s it was turned to the afternoon there was no explicit decree (at least I do not know of such) that it fulfill the obligation. Until the 1970’s we attended both the Vigil Mass and one of the the Easter day Mass.

I believe that most people are still unsure, because the Christmas Eve afternoon masses are always packed, the Easter Vigil Mass is significantly less attended in many parishes. The reason is the the Christmas Eve Mass is anticipated, the same as for one of the Christmas Masses, the Easter Vigil Mass is proper.

 

[AJV]

When in the 50s it was turned to the afternoon there was no explicit decree (at least I do not know of such) that it fulfill the obligation.

On the Vatican website, in Acta Apostolicae Sedis, 1952, there is a decree that mentions under what conditions it can satisfy the obligation.

 

[MaebysMom]

At the very latest it would have changed in 1983 when the new Code of Canon Law was implemented, but I remember attending the Vigil back in the early 70s and it was never suggested that it didn’t fulfill our Easter Mass obligation.

I think you are right about this - 1983 is when the vigil Mass concept was adjusted, shall we say. But it is such a shame - the whole idea of the Tridium is minimized by allowing the excitement of the Resurrection to overlay it prematurely. I was under the impression that Holy Saturday was a day of waiting and praying for the Rising of Our Lord.

In my personal opinion, I love the excite of the candles being lit, the bells being rung, all the readings detailing our journey of our faith, and the new members being brought into the Church. It has the feeling of being back in that time with the traditions being maintained. The cresendo was the the next morning with the words “He is Risen!”

So unnatural to cut that short!

 

[Phemie]

I think you are right about this - 1983 is when the vigil Mass concept was adjusted, shall we say. But it is such a shame - the whole idea of the Tridium is minimized by allowing the excitement of the Resurrection to overlay it prematurely. I was under the impression that Holy Saturday was a day of waiting and praying for the Rising of Our Lord.

In my personal opinion, I love the excite of the candles being lit, the bells being rung, all the readings detailing our journey of our faith, and the new members being brought into the Church. It has the feeling of being back in that time with the traditions being maintained. The cresendo was the the next morning with the words “He is Risen!”

So unnatural to cut that short!

But the Vigil is the first Mass of Easter Sunday. I remember it being seen that way back in the early '70s. It would be wonderful if we could convince our parishes to celebrate them during the night to end at sunrise.

The Church says this about the Vigil: “95. In announcements concerning the Easter Vigil care should be taken not to present it as the concluding period of Holy Saturday, but rather it should be stressed that the Easter Vigil is celebrated “during Easter night”, and that it is one single act of worship. Pastors should be advised that in giving catechesis to the people they should be taught to participate in the Vigil in its entirety. (102)”

 

[puzzleannie]

My mother (76) as well as my sister (50) both insist that Easter vigil ***use to ***not fill the Easter Sunday obligation. They understand it does now.

While I understand there use to not be a Saturday anticipated mass for Sunday, it seems to me that the whole idea of the vigil, celebrating the Resurrection would not be the same thing. Or has the Easter Vigil also changed?

the Easter Vigil is NOT the usual Sunday Mass anticipated on Saturday evening, sometimes improperly called a vigil. It is a true Vigil and it is the principal liturgical celebration of Easter and therefore fills all obligation. The Masses on Easter Sunday morning are offered as concessions to those who could not be there for the Vigil.

and yes before the Easter Vigil was restored in the 50s to its timing after dark or midnight, the liturgy for this vigil and other major feasts was usually celebrated the morning of the eve of the feast, it did not incorporate all the features of the current Vigil, and it did not fulfill the obligation for the Sunday or holy day.

 

[agapewolf]

and yes before the Easter Vigil was restored in the 50s to its timing after dark or midnight, the liturgy for this vigil and other major feasts was usually celebrated the morning of the eve of the feast, it did not incorporate all the features of the current Vigil, and it did not fulfill the obligation for the Sunday or holy day.

So while my mother was correct, my sister was told incorrect information?

 

[laszlo]

But the Vigil is the first Mass of Easter Sunday. I remember it being seen that way back in the early '70s. It would be wonderful if we could convince our parishes to celebrate them during the night to end at sunrise.

I disagree. Jesus was risen at the beginning of the new day after Sabbath, which was Saturday evening in our concept of the time.

Matt 28:1 And in the end of the sabbath, when it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalen and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre. And behold there was a great earthquake. For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and coming, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.

The ‘when it began to dawn’ (epiphosko) is used only one other passage

Luke 23:54 And it was the day of the Parasceve, and the sabbath drew on.

when it without doubt refers to Friday evening when Jesus was buried.

IMHO the proper celebration was as in the fifties: starting about 5PM, only 4 readings, no baptism etc so the Mass in time of resurrection, about nightfall, when the new day began.

 

[Phemie]

I disagree. Jesus was risen at the beginning of the new day after Sabbath, which was Saturday evening in our concept of the time.

Matt 28:1 And in the end of the sabbath, when it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalen and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre. And behold there was a great earthquake. For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and coming, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.

The ‘when it began to dawn’ (epiphosko) is used only one other passage

Luke 23:54 And it was the day of the Parasceve, and the sabbath drew on.

when it without doubt refers to Friday evening when Jesus was buried.

IMHO the proper celebration was as in the fifties: starting about 5PM, only 4 readings, no baptism etc so the Mass in time of resurrection, about nightfall, when the new day began.

That’s not how the Church understands the Vigil. It is the first Mass of Easter and it can be celebrated anytime between full dark and sunrise.

 

[Digitonomy]

I think you are right about this - 1983 is when the vigil Mass concept was adjusted, shall we say. But it is such a shame - the whole idea of the Tridium is minimized by allowing the excitement of the Resurrection to overlay it prematurely.

Can you post the name/publisher of your daily missal from the 1970s that gave the information about the vigil not meeting the obligation?

 

[MaebysMom]

It is in my car (I am at work). I will get it to you over the weekend if that is OK!

 

[asd72]

Does the Saturday night mass count as Sunday obligation, or is that only on particular dates?

 

[Love_Divine]

Yes, if it starts 4:00 pm or later. (Some people think that weddings with a nuptial Mass fulfill their Sunday obligation, which it doesn’t unless it falls at 4:00 pm or later.)

 

[asd72]

Thank you

 

[Nelka]

I like the vigil Mass during the winter when its dark out and all the lights are on with candles everywhere.

I miss the incense though, it’s hardly used like it used to be.