On this day the Church abstains strictly from the celebration of the sacrifice of the Mass. Holy Communion may only be given in the form of Viaticum. The celebration of marriages is forbidden, as also the celebration of other sacraments, except those of Penance and the Anointing of the Sick.
Canon law in force
According to Paenitemini, the 1983 Code of Canon Law and the Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium, on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and where possible, throughout Holy Saturday, both abstinence and fasting are required of Catholics who are not exempted for various reasons.
Not eating meat and fasting (eating only one meal during the day) are optional but encouraged on Holy Saturday for some faith traditions. These devotions are an act of penitence to raise awareness of Jesus's self-sacrifice and love, says Morrill.
In some Roman Catholic locations, Holy Saturday is a time given only to prepare for the Easter Vigil and, perhaps, bless the Easter bread. Holy Mother Church tells us that no Mass is permitted until the vigil, Communion can only be given to the dying, and marriage is forbidden.
Whether to participate in an athletic event or go to work on these days is a personal choice and is not against any rules of the Church.
On the evening of Holy Saturday (Easter vigil), or certainly come Easter Sunday, white or gold are used to celebrate the resurrection. The Easter color is used until Pentecost. On Pentecost, the seventh Sunday after Easter, red is used.
During Holy Week (from Holy Monday to Great Saturday), try to fast as strictly as possible, and especially from Thursday evening after supper until Saturday night, abstaining from meat, eggs, dairy, fish, and alcohol.
Roman Catholics have something to forfeit during this season. Here are some food during Holy Week that you need to keep away from. Red meat (e.g.: pork, beef, ham, ham, etc.) Desserts (e.g.: candies, cakes, sweets, etc.)
On Holy Saturday you may like to clean the house to be ready for Easter day. This is no less a spiritual act than being still in God's presence. You could listen to your favourite hymns/ worship music as you work.
On Holy Saturday, gather the family around a bonfire in the backyard. Roast marshmallows and sing campfire songs as a sign of “keeping vigil” until Jesus rises. Talk about it: The Easter Vigil begins with the symbol of fire. Talk about how fire represents that Jesus is the light of the world.
Taking A Bath After 3PM Is Not Allowed
Although Holy Week is a religious belief and practice, a lot of its superstitions involves good and bad luck. One of which would be prohibiting baths beyond 3PM as it can cause bad luck.
Can you eat meat on Holy Saturday? In the early days of the Church, Holy Saturday was the only Saturday when fasting was permitted. Today, however, there is no requirement for fasting but Christians might still choose to limit their meals or not eat meat.
Alexander Schmemann further explains the significance and meaning of Holy Saturday according to Orthodox theology and tradition: Holy Saturday is the day on which Christ reposed in the tomb. The Church calls this day the Blessed Sabbath. By using this title the Church links Holy Saturday with the creative act of God.
The observance commemorates the final day of Christ's death, which many Christians traditionally associate with his triumphant descent into hell or “to the dead” (see also Apostles' Creed).
Once a popular day for baptism ceremonies, Holy Saturday is not considered a day for Mass until after sundown. These Masses and related observances are part of the Easter Vigil and continue through sunrise, as Christians await the resurrection.
On Holy Saturday communion may be given only as Viaticum. Communion services outside of the liturgy are not permitted on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, or Holy Saturday. Lent ends with the beginning of the Mass of the Lord's Supper on the evening of Holy Thursday—the only Mass permitted on this day.
Holy Saturday- Wear BLACK in the morning in mourning of the burial of Jesus. Wear WHITE once the sun falls to recall Jesus's Glorious Resurrection.
There are many holy days and other observed holidays that you may not know about, which can affect church availability. "Technically a couple can get married just about any day except Holy Thursday, Holy Friday, and Holy Saturday, but the question is, practically speaking, when can they have a wedding mass.
If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the "paschal fast" to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily his Resurrection.
Also, on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays during Lent, adult Catholics over the age of 14 abstain from eating meat. During these days, it is not acceptable to eat lamb, chicken, beef, pork, ham, deer and most other meats. However, eggs, milk, fish, grains, and fruits and vegetables are all allowed.
It has been a practice among Roman Catholics to abstain from eating meat every Friday during lent, and the entire holy week. It is not recommended to eat pork, chicken, beef and other types of meat during this time of the year. However, you can always consume vegetables and seafood.
The substance, or the thing that the Sabbath was pointing to, is Jesus Christ. He is our rest. It doesn't matter whether you go to corporate worship on Saturday or on Sunday, because that's not what really matters. What really matters is that you find your rest in Christ!
In the early church, the day was marked by fasting and preparation. Many churches mark this day with an Easter Vigil after sunset on Holy Saturday, or sometimes early in the morning of Easter Day, with the lighting of candles representing the light of Christ.
Each year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil, thousands are baptized into the Catholic Church in the United States. Parishes welcome these new Catholics through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Listed below are some questions and answers about the process of Christian Initiation.
Symbols. The Paschal candle, which is made of white wax, symbolizes leading people out of the darkness into the celebration of the Easter vigil. The candle is marked with a cross, an alpha and an omega (the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet).