Question Box: Regular Saturday Night Masses Easter Weekend?

Q: In my local parish bulletin, I see the Saturday night Easter Vigil listed on the Holy Week Masses. Does this “count” for Easter and the Easter Sunday Obligation? Why don’t we have a regular (early) Saturday night Mass?

A: The Easter Vigil is the main Easter Sunday Mass and the highpoint of the entire liturgical year—even above and beyond the Masses celebrated on Easter Sunday itself. In the fifth century, St. Augustine himself described the Easter Vigil celebration as the “Mother of All Vigils”. By Church law, this celebration must take place after dark and it must end before dawn on Sunday morning, meaning that a Saturday night Mass in the early evening is neither possible nor permitted.  The Vigil does not necessarily have to take place at nightfall as it typically does. The Vigil could take place as a midnight Mass (echoing Christmas) or as a pre-dawn Mass on Easter morning, but neither of these traditions are common among Catholics in the U.S.

   Typically, new members of the Church are baptized, confirmed, and receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time.  The celebration features the blessing and lighting of the Easter Candle, the singing of an ancient hymn of praise to the Risen Lord, the Exsultet (or another link to Wiki), readings from across salvation history, a solemn singing of the Gloria and the Alleluia, blessing of Easter Water, and the first celebration of the Eucharist in the Easter season.  Besides the later hour, this can tend to be a bit longer than your "regular Mass" on Saturday night, which may make it difficult for younger children to attend... but don't be afraid!  When fully engaged with the celebration it seems to go by in a flash.  All who attend this Mass, of course, fulfill their Sunday obligation, but they are also welcomed and encouraged to continue the celebration on Easter Sunday (and also receive Communion again on that day) as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and our share in his salvation.