INSTRUCTION
ON HOLY SATURDAY
Why
is this day called Holy Saturday?
Because
on this day Jesus, the Holy of holies, rested in the sepulchre, and
because the Church today blesses the new fire, the Easter candle, and
the baptismal water.
Why
is fire struck anew, blessed, and the lamps and candles in the Church
lighted from it?
In
ancient times it was customary to strike a new fire every day, bless
it, and light the candles from it, and later this was done every
Saturday; in the eleventh century this ceremony was restricted to
Holy Saturday. The fire is struck from a stone to indicate, that
Christ is the light of the world, and the Stone which the Jews
rejected has now become the Corner stone of His Church; (Psalms
117:22) that the divine Son, the light of the world, was apparently
extinguished at His death, but at His resurrection shone anew; that
all those who witness this ceremony today be spiritually enlightened
hereafter. This fire is blessed, because the Church blesses every
thing that is used for divine service, and because the light and fire
represent Christ, who brought the fire of love upon earth with which
to enkindle our hearts. (Luke 12:49)
What
is represented by the triple candle?
The
triple candle represents the most Holy Trinity of which the second
Divine Person came down upon the earth as the true light. For this
reason the priest (or deacon) sings at the lighting of each candle:
Lumen Christi, Light of Christ, and kneeling, three times humbly
adores the Triune Deity, and especially Christ the true, divine
Light. The chanter responds Deo gratias, Thanks be to God.
What
does the Easter candle signify?
It
is an emblem of Christ who has risen from death. Christ the true
Light leads us from the bondage of Satan into the freedom of the
children of God as the pillar of fire led the children of Israel out
of the bondage of Egypt. The five holes in the candle represent the
five wounds of Jesus by which mankind was healed, (1 Peter 2:24) and
the five grains of frankincense signify the spices with which the
body of our Lord was embalmed.
Why
are all the candles and lamps lighted from the triple candle?
To
show that Christ was begotten by the Father of Light from all
eternity, and is therefore true God from true God, true Light from
true Light, from whom enlightenment is diffused over all men. (2
Corinthians 4:6)
To
what do the twelve prophecies refer which are read before the
blessing of the baptismal font?
They
have reference to Christ in whom the predictions contained therein
were verified. The number corresponds to the twelve apostles, who
announced their fulfillment to the world.
Why
is the baptismal water blessed with so many ceremonies, and what is
its signification?
The
baptismal water is blessed with so many ceremonies that a different
effects of baptism may be shown, and that the holy Sacrament may be
administered and received with more reverence and devotion; it
signifies the blood of Christ by which our souls are purified.
What
is the meaning of these ceremonies?
The
priest with his hand parts the water in the form of the cross, to
illustrate that God gives to it the virtue of regenerating all those
born in original sin, making them children of God through Christ who
died on the cross. He touches the surface of the water with the palm
of his hand, to show that the Holy Ghost is over this water as at the
creation, and bestows many graces on those who are baptized. He
blesses it, signing it three times with the sign of the cross,
because the water receives its sin-cleansing power only through the
sufferings and the merits of Christ, from the Father, by the
cooperation of the Holy Ghost. The baptismal water is thrown by the
priest towards the four parts of the earth, because the grace of
baptism should reach all nations. The priest breathes on the water
three times in the form of a cross, as the Creator breathed into man
the breath of life; Christ breathed upon the apostles the divine
Spirit who by His grace and power revives and sanctifies those who
are baptized. The Easter candle, (emblem of Christ, risen from the
dead) is dipped three times into the water each time deeper, to show
that the baptized should become more and more enlightened through the
light of Christ's doctrine, more and more penetrated by, its
divinity, more and more purified from sin. The people are sprinkled
with this water to remind all those present who have received
sanctification in baptism, and have lost it by sin, that they should
strive to regain it by true repentance. Finally, oi1 and chrism are
mixed with the water as a sign that the grace of the Holy Ghost of
which these are figures, is given through the water to those who
receive this Sacrament; and also, that the baptized should, after
baptism, devote themselves to the service of Christ, the Anointed
One, and unite themselves in love to Him.
Why
is the baptismal water blessed only on this day and on the Saturday
before Pentecost?
Because
in early times converts were baptized only on these days; and because
the risen Saviour is the example of a soul sanctified by the Holy
Ghost in baptism.
How
should we assist at the blessing of the baptismal water?
With
sentiments of sincere gratitude for the grace of baptism; with the
firm resolution of preserving our baptismal innocence, or if we have
lost it, of gaining it by penance. We should renew our baptismal vows
especially on this day by saying the apostle's creed, making acts of
faith, hope, love, and contrition; and renounce anew the devil, all
his pride, and all his suggestions.
Why
does the priest prostrate himself after blessing the baptismal water,
and rise again after the litany of the saints has been chanted?
To
most humbly ask God, by the intercession of the saints, that He would
give to all men the grace of baptism, that as all men have been dead
and buried in sin, so they may rise with Christ as new creatures to
grace and eternal life.
Why
are the altars decorated on this day?
Because
the Church, the beloved bride of Christ, desires to announce in
advance to her children the glad tidings, that the Lord has risen
from the dead; she decorates herself therefore, and causes the bells
to peal and joyous hymns, to resound. It also has reference to the
glorious, incorruptible body with which Christ adorned Himself at His
Resurrection.
Why
is there no Introit in this day's Mass?
The
Introit of the Mass was formerly an entire psalm which was sung while
the people were assembling in church; but as in early times the
people on Easter were already assembled to assist at the ceremonies,
no Introit was sung at the Mass. The Church observes the same
practice, although she abolished the night vigils on account of the
abuses to which they gave rise.
COLLECT
O God, who makest this most sacred night illustrious by the
glory of the Resurrection of our Lord, preserve in the new offspring
of Thy family the spirit of adoption, which Thou hast given them;
that being renewed in body and soul, they may serve Thee with purity
of heart. Through the same etc.
EPISTLE
(Colossians 3:1-4.) Brethren: If you be risen with Christ, seek the
things that are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of
God: mind the things that are above, not the things that are on the
earth. For you are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ shall appear, who is your life, then shall you appear
with him in glory.
After
the epistle the priest sings three times: Alleluia as a joyful
exclamation over the Redeemer's triumphant victory.
EXLANATION
St. Paul places Christ's, resurrection before us as the example and,
motive of the spiritual resurrection from sin, which should be
effected m us by the holy Sacraments at Easter. With Christ we should
die to the world, and live hidden in Him, if we desire to rise at the
Last Day with Him in glory, and be acknowledged before all men by Him
as His own.
GOSPEL
(Matthew 28:1-7,) , In the end of the Sabbath, when it began to dawn
towards
the first day of the week,came Mary Magdalen, and the other
Mary, to view the sepulchre. And behold there was a great earthquake.
For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven: and coming, rolled
back the stone, and sat upon it. And his countenance was as
lightning, and his raiment as snow. And for fear of him, the guards
were struck with terror, and became as dead men. And the angel
answering, said to the women: Fear not you: for I know that you seek
Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for he is risen, as he
said. Come, and see the place where the Lord was laid. And going
quickly, tell ye his disciples that he is risen: and behold, he will
go before you into Galilee; there you shall see him. Lo, I have
foretold it to you.
What
are we to learn from this gospel?
That
we, too, will receive the plenitude of divine grace and heavenly
blessings, if like these pious women we seek Christ early, that is,
by making a good intention before we begin our work.
Why
is there no Credo or Agnus Dei said, nor the kiss of peace given, and
why are short vespers said after communion?
Formerly,
the Credo or confession of faith was said by the newly baptized, the
Agnus Dei was sung in the litany of .the saints, and these are
therefore omitted in the Mass. The kiss of peace is, not given,
because Christ had not yet said to His disciples, Peace be wit-h you.
Short vespers are said after the priest's communion, because this
day, is a type of the eternal Sabbath in heaven which has no vespers,
that is, evening.
Do
not omit on this day to thank our Lord for the many graces He has
given us through His passion and death. If in the evening the solemn
ceremonies of the resurrection are held, assist at them and there
make the repeated resolution to rise from the sleep of sin and begin
a new life with Christ.
– Goffine’s
Devout Instructions
