Prayers for Holy Saturday and Easter Vigil
Holy Saturday is the last day of the Paschal Triduum (Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Holy Week). It is the day before Easter. The Easter Vigil (or ‘Paschal Vigil’) takes place that same day, starting in the evening. It is one of the most important celebrations of the Christian liturgical year. The Vigil concludes the long and solemn Lent period, and prepares Christian to rejoice in the Resurrection of Christ. Following ancient Catholic traditions, we celebrate Easter baptisms during the Paschal Vigil, and catechumens renew their vows. It is also the first time since the beginning of Lent that we can exclaim “Alleluia” !
Morning Prayer for Holy Saturday
“Lord, today is the day of the tomb, a day of waiting, of silence, making our Alleluias sound clearer. It is the day that leads to the Great Night, when light shines so brightly and beautifully. Tomorrow will be Easter Day, and my heart pounds impatiently.
Praised be You, O Lord, Son of The Living God!”
This morning prayer is specially dedicated to Holy Saturday, but there are many other morning prayers you can say after waking up.
Prayer for Easter Vigil by Pope Benedict XVI
“Lord, show us that love is stronger than hatred, that love is stronger than death. Descend into the darkness and the abyss of our modern age, and take by the hand those who await you. Bring them to the light! In my own dark nights, be with me to bring me forth! Help me, help all of us, to descend with you into the darkness of all those people who are still waiting for you, who out of the depths cry unto you! Help us to bring them your light! Help us to say the “yes” of love, the love that makes us descend with you and, in so doing, also to rise with you.
Amen!”
Easter Vigil Prayer by St. Asterius of Amasea
“O night that is brighter than day, O night more dazzling than the sun, O night more sparkling than snow, O night more brilliant than all our lamps! O night that is sweeter than Paradise, O night delivered from darkness, O night that dispels the sleep of sin, O night that makes us keep vigil with the angels, O night terrible for the demons, O night desired by all the year, O night that leads the bridal Church to her Spouse, O night that is mother to those enlightened! O night in which the Devil, sleeping, was despoiled, O night in which the Heir brings the heirs to their heritage. Amen.”
Prayers for Paschal Triduum
Each day of the Paschal Triduum is an important event of Christian Liturgy. Discover prayers to help you celebrate:
Holy Thursday, when we commemorate the Last Supper
Good Friday, when we commemorate the Crucifixion of the Lord (learn to walk in the way of the Cross)
Celebrate Easter with Hozana!
Discover the prayer communities of Hozana dedicated to accompanying you during your Easter Celebrations!
Join a spiritual program by the Brothers of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist and pray each day of the Holy Week! Join a prayer community to help you walk in the Way of the Cross, and relive the Passion of Christ with your Christian brothers and sisters around the world.
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