Permissible to shorten Litany of the Saints at Easter Vigil?

[Sarabande]

I would be so terribly sad if this were my parish - singing the Litany of the Saints is one of the most beautiful parts of the Vigil. I hope he reconsiders.

Poor saints - they certainly never asked for much, the least we can do is sing to them once a year.

~Liza

I agree. I love the Litany of the Saints and love the Vigil. Every year our Vigil is between 2-3 hours, but I don’t mind it at all.

 

[sasafr]

It’s not like anyone’s forced to attend the Easter Vigil except Catechumens. So why do we need to constantly shorten things so ‘the old ones can participate’ as the refrain goes at my parish.

Rant over.

Sorry.

I have a problem with this as I am in RCIA and will be initiated at Easter. I would like my grandmother who is 76 to be able to come to the Easter Vigil, which will be an hour away from where she lives. So if the mass goes untill 11 she won’t ger home untill past midnight. At her age and her health (she recently had cancer) she needs sleep. I’m sure many others who are intiated will want their older family members to attend also. AND just because they are not obligated to go does not mean they might not want to. If they were converts that night may have an even greater meaning to them. I already plan to go to the Easter Vigil next year as it will be my first year of being Catholic. But then, I have a tendency to remince and make things “anniversaries”.

 

[jmcrae]

If your grandmother is not Catholic, or if she attends Mass at a different time on Easter Sunday, she wouldn’t be required to stay for the whole thing.

 

[pnewton]

Our vigil last between 3-4 hours. I have no problem with making sure things run efficiently, without rushing. The way I was taught the Litany is actual faster or as fast as speaking. We almost do it as a round with the Cantor begining the next saint’s name on “us”. You may think this would sound rushed, but it is really quite beautiful. We do the full litany, our patron saint and the patron saints of the catecumens.

 

[sasafr]

If your grandmother is not Catholic, or if she attends Mass at a different time on Easter Sunday, she wouldn’t be required to stay for the whole thing.

Except for the fact that she would be going up with my parents because they live in the same town, who would stay the entire time to see me after the vigil and she would want to anyways. Being as she’s not Catholic she’s going to see me not for the service. and yes that does sound selfish

 

[jmcrae]

Except for the fact that she would be going up with my parents because they live in the same town, who would stay the entire time to see me after the vigil and she would want to anyways. Being as she’s not Catholic she’s going to see me not for the service. and yes that does sound selfish

It’s okay to be selfish, from time to time, as long as it’s not a regular habit.

I would hope that they don’t short-change you and the rest of your RCIA group of your Easter Vigil, for any reason, but I do sympathize with your grandmother, as well.

Is it possible to suggest that she have a nap beforehand?

 

[sasafr]

jmcrae,

I will suggest that to her. It was only an example for another poster of why older people may be at the Easter Vigil even though it’s late, and not required. but thanks that’s a good idea

 

[Titus]

The Easter Vigil would be exhausting for a 76 year old grandmother. But i do see your point.

However, these situations do not mean that we should compromise the most beautiful of liturgies. Sorry. I very much feel for you in your situation, but giving greater glory to God must come first.

Indeed, the difference made by eliminating a few saints from the Litany would probably not make a huge difference to the bedtime of your grandmother.

You and she are in my prayers.