Day is marked by reflection and dedicated to the vigil to wait for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which, according to tradition, occurs on Easter Sunday
Holy Sabbath, also popularly called Hallelujah Saturday, is celebrated today (19) by Catholics. It is a day marked by reflection and dedicated to the wakefulness to wait for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which, according to tradition, occurs on Easter Sunday. “This is not a mood of mourning or sadness, for we know that the Lord is alive; however, we remember that today he is in the tomb and, at night, we will celebrate the glorious resurrection,” explained Cardinal Orani João Tempestan, Metropolitan Archbishop of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro (RJ), in a text released by Vatican News, the Saint Information Portal
According to him, throughout this Saturday the parishes often gather a group of people to prepare the ornamentation of the churches – there is no celebration of masses. It is that after 6 pm the Easter Vigil begins, when Catholics celebrate Christ’s victory over death. The vigil is the last act of the Paschal Tiduum, which ends on Easter Sunday morning.
“Even though Holy Saturday can still be performed the chosen penances over time, such as not eating meat during the day, intensifying prayer and opting for fasting as they recommend liturgical books. Lenten penances end with the celebration of the Easter Vigil,” said Dom Orani. “Pascal Vigil is the most important liturgy of the year.” This date is also known as Hallelujah Saturday because, throughout the Lent, the “Hallelujah” was not sang. This only happens again during the vigil, when the waiting for the return of Jesus, according to the biblical accounts.
Judas Workout
It is today the day to celebrate the workout of Judas, a tradition in which Christians beat, torture, and sometimes burn a doll symbolizing the apostle who handed Jesus to the Romans two thousand years ago. In Brazil, it is customary to characterize the dolls representing Judas Iscariot as politicians or famous but not popular people.
Posted by Luisa Cardoso
*With information from Estadão Content
