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 49th International Eucharistic Congress Scott 1386-1387 (2008) Holy Saturday, also known as Great and Holy Saturday, Black Saturday and other names, is the final day of Holy Week. It falls within the Pascal or Easter Triduum, between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Today commemorates the Harrowing of Hell. This Old English term refers to the time between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection as Jesus Christ's human body lay in the tomb. During the day of Holy Saturday, no Mass is celebrated in the Catholic Church. Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Anglican and other denominations begin the celebration of the Easter Vigil service at sunset on Holy Saturday, which provides a transition to the season of Eastertide. The Church reawakens during the Vigil as we await the celebration of Easter Sunday. One of the most beautiful aspects of the Vigil is the lighting of candles by each member of the congregation, starting with the Paschal Candle. The dark church gradually becomes bright as each person shares their lighted candle with their neighbor, until the church is bathed in the light that started with the Pascal Candle, symbolizing "The light of Christ, rising in Glory, dispelling the darkness of our hearts and minds." Many stamps issued by Vatican City depict the events of Holy Week, in particular the Crucifixion and Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday. At the top of the page is a nice two-stamp set, issued in 2008 for the 49th International Eucharistic Congress held in Quebec, Canada. It illustrates six events in the life of Jesus, with four specifically tied to Holy Week. The 0.60-euro stamp shows the Wedding at Cana (where Christ performed His first miracle), the Washing of the Feet and the Last Supper (the last two events occurring on Holy Thursday). The 0.85-euro stamp depicts the Crucifixion (on Good Friday), Christ’s Resurrection (on Easter Sunday) and the encounter on the Road to Emmaus (His first revelation to two of His disciples following His Resurrection). REFERENCES: |
