Easter Vigil - Holy Saturday

Come celebrate the resurrection of our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ at Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday - the Greatest Feast of the Church!

Annunciation Catholic Church

Saturday, April 04, 2026 Holy Saturday Easter Vigil (Paschal Vigil)Holy Mass 9 PM Sacred Paschal TriduumThe Sacred Paschal Triduum, the time between Lent and Easter, is the three most solemn days of the liturgical year; Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil; and it's the holiest time of the year for Catholics, with some of the richest, most mysterious and sacramental celebrations of the year. These are the “high holy days” of the entire Church year.Although celebrated Holy Saturday evening, it is the dramatic Easter vigil liturgy that marks the beginning of Easter. We are awaiting our master's return with our lamps full and burning, so that he will find us awake and seat us at his table (cf. Luke 12:35ff). All Catholics should try to attend this beautiful service. The vigil is divided into four parts:<ul><li>Service of Light,</li><li>Liturgy of the Word,</li><li>Liturgy of Baptism, and</li><li>Liturgy of the Eucharist.</li></ul><a href="https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=1043" title="https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=1043" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">catholicculture.org/Easter Vigil</a>Easter Vigil is a most beautiful celebration that marks our holiest night, reveals the light of Christ, presents the new birth of Baptism, and transitions us into Easter joy. The rubrics of the Missale Romanum (The Roman Missal) remind us that this "mother of all vigils" is the "greatest and most noble of all solemnities".More information on the blessing of the new fire and the Paschal candle below. Sunday, April 05, 2026 Easter Sunday Masses - Holy Pascha (Easter) - Resurrection SundayThe Solemnity of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ - Solemnity of Solemnities, Feast of Feasts (the Greatest Feast of the Church)Holy Masses:<ul><li>Morning 9 AM &amp; 11 AM</li><li>There will be No 7 PM Mass</li></ul> Donations are gratefully accepted via Interac e-Transfer to: AnnunciationBldg.etransfer@caedm.ca. May Almighty God bless you ✠Annunciation Catholic Church9420 – 163 Street NW Edmonton, AB T5R 0A7<a href="https://annunciation.caedm.ca/" title="https://annunciation.caedm.ca/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">annunciation.caedm.ca</a>

The Holy Saturday Liturgy begins with the Service of Light, which includes the blessing of the new fire and the Paschal candle which symbolizes Jesus, the Light of the World. The second part consists of the Liturgy of the Word with a series of Scripture readings. After the Liturgy of the Word, the Catechumens are presented to the parish community, who pray for them with the Litany of the Saints. Next, the priest blesses the water, placing the Easter or Paschal candle into the baptismal water. Those seeking Baptism then renounce sin and profess their faith after which they are baptized with the priest pronouncing the words, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” <blockquote>A fire burns, dispelling the night’s darkness, as the priest takes the Paschal Candle, carves a cross and other symbols into it, and lights the candle. With incense burning, the priest passes light from the candle to smaller candles held by everyone in attendance.</blockquote>

Holy Saturday Holy Saturday (from Sabbatum Sanctum, its official liturgical name) is sacred as the day of the Lord's rest; it has been called the "Second Sabbath" after creation. The day is and should be the most calm and quiet day of the entire Church year, a day broken by no liturgical function. Christ lies in the grave, the Church sits near and mourns. After the great battle He is resting in peace, but upon Him we see the scars of intense suffering...The mortal wounds on His Body remain visible...Jesus' enemies are still furious, attempting to obliterate the very memory of the Lord by lies and slander.There are no liturgies celebrated until the Easter Vigil. The entire celebration of the Easter Vigil must take place during the night, so that it begins after nightfall and ends before daybreak on the Sunday.During the Easter Vigil, the Church awaits its "blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds" [Titus 2.13-14]. The Church's waiting is both historical and eschatological, both "then" and "future": with the holy women, we await the dawn of Resurrection and the announcement that the Lord is risen indeed; as the Church today, we await his return in glory, which will complete the drama of salvation history and inaugurate the Wedding Feast of the Lamb in its full splendour.On this holy night, the Church keeps watch, celebrating the resurrection of Christ in the sacraments and awaiting his return in glory. It is the turning point of the Triduum, the Passover of the new covenant, which marks Christ's passage from death to life.The Missale provides a solemn blessing to conclude the liturgy (EV, no. 68).After Communion and the Prayer After Communion, the Mass concludes with the Solemn Blessing:<blockquote>May almighty God bless you through today's Easter Solemnity and, in his compassion, defend you from every assault of sin. R. Amen.And may he, who restores you to eternal life in the Resurrection of his Only Begotten, endow you with the prize of immortality. R. Amen.Now that the days of the Lord's Passion have drawn to a close, may you who celebrate the gladness of the Paschal Feast come with Christ's help, and exulting in spirit, to those feasts that are celebrated in eternal joy. R. Amen.And may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit, come down on you and remain with you for ever. R. Amen.</blockquote>and closes with the glorious sung dismissal: <blockquote>V. Go forth, the Mass is ended, Alleluia, Alleluia. or Go in peace, Alleluia, Alleluia.R. Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia.</blockquote>

Easter<blockquote>Easter is the greatest feast in the Christian calendar. On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Easter Sunday comes at the end of 40 days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving known as Lent. Through spiritual struggle and self-denial, we have prepared ourselves to die spiritually with Christ on Good Friday, the day of His Crucifixion, so that we can rise again with Him in new life on Easter.</blockquote> Alleluia! is our song. For forty days in Lent, the people of God listen to his word more attentively and spend more time in prayer and penance as we seek forgiveness and conversion. At the end of Holy Week, we enter the Easter Triduum, when we celebrate the dying and rising of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then, for fifty days we sing Alleluia!Easter vigil: During Holy Saturday night, the Church celebrates the victory of Christ over sin and death. He is the light of the world, who frees us from the kingdom of darkness and brings us into his kingdom of love.<ul><li>Initiation. On Easter night, catechumens profess their faith and are plunged into the baptismal waters; confirmed with fragrant holy Chrism, they are welcomed to the Lord’s table, where they are nourished with the bread of life and the cup of salvation.</li><li>Renewal. Other members of the Church profess their faith once more, renewing their baptismal promises to die with Christ to sin, and to live with him for God.</li></ul>Easter Sunday is the greatest day of the Christian year. We praise God for all his wonderful works of creation and salvation, but especially for raising Jesus from the dead, and declaring him Lord. Jesus is the saviour, the centre of salvation history.We rejoice today with all Christians, for our heavenly Father has made us sharers in the grace of his Son. By baptism we die with him, are buried with him in death and are raised with him to glory. We share in his victory and his abundant new life.Easter week: During this week, we continue our rejoicing over the resurrection of our Lord and his victory over sin and death. The daily gospel readings this week describe occasions on which the risen Jesus appeared to his followers.The Easter octave ends with the second Sunday of the season. The gospel presents Thomas as he comes to believe in the risen Lord. We who did not see Christ in the flesh are called blessed also, because he has given us the faith to believe in him.Easter season: Fifty days of Easter joy will bring us to the feast of Pentecost. God’s gift of life is complete in the sending of the Holy Spirit.Paschal candle: During the Easter vigil, the Easter candle is prepared and lighted from the new fire. It symbolises and reminds us that Christ is the light of the world and that he is always present among his holy people. This candle is prominently displayed and is lighted for all liturgies during the Easter season.Easter water: Water is blessed during the vigil for use in baptisms during the Easter season. This water is sprinkled over the people present at the vigil and on Easter Day as they renew their baptismal promises. We use blessed water in our homes as a reminder of our baptism, by which Jesus makes us the holy people of God.Alleluia! is the song of the Easter season. It is a shout of joy and means “praise to God!” With Christ and all his Church, we rejoice that God has raised him up from death and has given us a share in his unending life.Living in the Easter season: This season lasts for seven weeks or 50 days, extending between Easter and Pentecost. St. Athanasius (+373) called this period “the great Sunday”.<ul><li>Meaning. The Easter season is a time when Christians reflect on what it means to be God’s Church, his people established in this place, witnesses to his resurrection. The new life and joy of those baptized at the Easter vigil is shared by all and we remember that it is through baptism that Jesus has made us God’s holy people.</li><li>Relation to Lent. Easter is not a continuation of Lent, but rather the time to harvest the seeds which were planted during the 40 days. Now we live as the brothers and sisters of Jesus, sharing his love with others, looking for ways to serve others and save the world.</li><li>Recognizing Christ’s presence: During the Easter season, we reflect on the many ways that Jesus is present among us.</li><li>Spring. The Easter season also means the return of spring, with its new life, flowers and the warmth of longer days.</li></ul>Whenever two or three gather in his name, Jesus is with us—at home, in church, at work or at play. He is present, speaking to us when his gospel is proclaimed to us. He is present in our liturgical celebrations: in the assembly, the scriptures, the ministers, in the power of his sacraments, in the Eucharist.Our Lord assures us that he is the one we help whenever we feed the hungry, visit the sick or imprisoned, and clothe the naked. Jesus is always with his people.Alleluia!Lord Jesus, our brother, we love you. Help us to love you more. Have mercy on all your people who have been baptized in your name. Stir up your Spirit in our hearts, and teach us to keep your commandments, to carry our daily cross with you, and to see you in all we meet. Lord Jesus,help us to be your Easter people today. Amen! Holy Mary, pray for the people of God. Amen! <a href="https://www.cccb.ca/document/easter-season/" title="https://www.cccb.ca/document/easter-season/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">cccb.ca/easter-season</a>

<h3>Annunciation Catholic Church Liturgical Events and More</h3> <h3>✨Annunciation Parish website has a brand new look!🎉 Check it out at: <a href="https://annunciation.caedm.ca/" title="https://annunciation.caedm.ca/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">annunciation.caedm.ca</a> Latest news &amp; events: <a href="https://annunciation.caedm.ca/#NewsEvents" title="https://annunciation.caedm.ca/#NewsEvents" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">annunciation.caedm.ca/#NewsEvents</a> Important Liturgical services &amp; Masses: <a href="https://annunciation.caedm.ca/masses" title="https://annunciation.caedm.ca/masses" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">annunciation.caedm.ca/masses</a> Donations are always gratefully accepted (thank you!): <a href="https://annunciation.caedm.ca/donate" title="https://annunciation.caedm.ca/donate" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">annunciation.caedm.ca/donate</a> 2025 – 2026 Liturgical Calendar of Events | Year A: <a href="https://annunciation.caedm.ca/masses/#Liturgical-Calendar" title="https://annunciation.caedm.ca/masses/#Liturgical-Calendar" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">annunciation.caedm.ca/masses/#Liturgical-Calendar</a> Inquiries on Baptisms, other Sacraments, blessing of homes, vehicles, Mass offerings &amp; more (Contact info): <a href="https://annunciation.caedm.ca/contact-us" title="https://annunciation.caedm.ca/contact-us" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">annunciation.caedm.ca/contact-us</a></h3>

<h2>Holy Days of Obligation</h2>On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Holy Mass. - (Canon Law 1244-1253)Holy days of obligation are feast days on which Catholics are required to attend Holy Mass and to avoid (to the extent that they are able) servile work. The faithful go to Mass on these days to rejoice. The Church invites the faithful to Mass on these holy days to recall that there is a reason to rejoice -"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." (John 3: 16.)From this perspective, holy days of obligation are a gift. The faithful take a step back from preoccupations to remember what is true, good, and beautiful.Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy. For six days you shall labour and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son, or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore, the Lord blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it.Exodus 20: 8 - 11 Every Sunday, the Lord's Day, is recognized as a holy day of obligation and Catholics are bound to participate in Holy Mass on Sunday or at an anticipated Mass on Saturday in the late afternoon or evening.There are 10 Holy Days of Obligation in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church:<ul><li>Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother Of God - January 1</li><li>Epiphany - January 6</li><li>Solemnity of St. Joseph - March 19</li><li>Ascension of Our Lord</li><li>Corpus Christi, the Most Holy Body &amp; Blood of Christ</li><li>Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul - June 29</li><li>Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Into Heaven - August 15</li><li>All Saints Day - November 1</li><li>Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - December 8</li><li>Christmas, the Nativity of Our Lord - December 25</li></ul> Ref: <a href="https://www.peterboroughdiocese.org/en/how-do-i-find/holy-days-of-obligation.aspx" title="https://www.peterboroughdiocese.org/en/how-do-i-find/holy-days-of-obligation.aspx" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Holy Days of Obligation</a>, <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/christianthingstodo/more/calendar" title="https://sites.google.com/view/christianthingstodo/more/calendar" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Liturgical Calendar</a>, <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/ChristianThingsToDo/more/calendar/holy-days-of-obligation-solemnities-feasts-memorials" title="https://sites.google.com/view/ChristianThingsToDo/more/calendar/holy-days-of-obligation-solemnities-feasts-memorials" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Most Important Solemnities &amp; Feasts</a>

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Easter Vigil - Holy Saturday

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