Black Saturday: Day of the Entombed Christ; Easter Vigil to be held at night

Roman Catholics commemorate Black or Holy Saturday with traditions that had been passed on to generations of devout Filipino Catholics starting with the observance of the Day of the Entombed Christ (Santo Entierro) during the day and the much anticipated Easter Vigil at night.

The faithful traditionally offer prayers and light candles in churches before the image of the Sacred Entombed Christ.

No masses will be held in all Catholic churches on Black Saturday, instead, the faithful are encouraged to venerate the image of the Santo Sepulcro (Christ lying in the tomb) as well as to reflect on the Seven Sorrows of Mary: The Prophecy of Simeon in the Temple, the Flight into Egypt, the Disappearance of the Child Jesus in the Temple, the Carrying of the Cross on Mount Calvary, the Crucifixion, the Taking Down from the Cross, and the Burial of Jesus.

Meditations and reflections are focused on the passion and death of Christ, and His descent into hell before His glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Religious images inside churches will remain draped in purple. The administration of sacraments is severely limited. Holy Communion is given only as a viaticum or to a dying person.

At night, however, the shift from mourning to joy begins with the observance of the Easter Vigil, the third and final day of the Paschal Triduum that began on Maundy Thursday.

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula will preside over the Easter Vigil mass at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila on Black Saturday at 8 p.m.

At the Quiapo Church, the mass is usually celebrated at 9 p.m. and because of the long liturgy, it lasts until midnight. After which, the “salubong” or the re-enactment of the reunion of the Blessed Mother and the risen Christ is held.

The Paschal candle will be lighted during the mass to symbolize the dawning of the resurrection of Christ.

— Christina Hermoso