What is vigil mass mean? (2024)

What is considered a Vigil Mass?

In the Christian Church, it is a religious service held during the night leading to a feast day. This practice dates back to early Christianity when the faithful would wake up in the middle of the night to pray.

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What makes a Mass a Vigil Mass?

Vigil simply means the evening before a holy day. In Biblical days (and with todays Jews as well as in parts of the middle east), the day begins at sunset, and not at midnight. A Catholic vigil mass is a regular mass that begins on the evening before the holy day (Sunday).

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What is the difference between a Vigil Mass and a regular Mass?

A few solemnities are "endowed with their own Vigil Mass, which is to be used on the evening of the preceding day, if an evening Mass is celebrated". The readings and prayers of such vigil Masses differ from the texts in the Masses to be celebrated on the day itself.

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Does going to Vigil Mass fulfill Sunday obligation?

And we also learn early on that attending Mass on the vigil of the holyday fulfills our obligation. Back in 1953, Pope Pius XII helpfully defined “vigil” for us as “not before 4 PM” (Latin text here, on p. 23), which is why we can fulfill our Sunday obligation by attending Mass on Saturday evening at 4:00 or later.

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How long is a vigil Mass?

This depends on a number of factors, such as whether certain portions of the Mass are spoken or sung, how many readings are used and if there are any baptisms. It usually runs 2.5 to 3 hours.

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Does Saturday vigil Mass count for Sunday?

With respect to the first question, according to Canon 1248.1 any Catholic Mass celebrated on a Saturday evening would fulfill the Sunday obligation even if it were not the actual Sunday liturgy.

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Is Saturday vigil a Mass?

Saturday Vigil Masses are now among the most popular weekend Masses in many parishes. But one thing to remember is that attendance at Mass is not the only way to honor the Sabbath, necessary as it may be.

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Is it OK to go to vigil mass?

There is no explicit provision or prohibition for receiving at the Vigil Mass and then at the Sunday Mass.

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Does vigil mass count for holy day of obligation?

Answer: If you attend the Easter vigil, you have fulfilled your obligation to attend Mass on Easter. You are not required to attend on Easter Sunday. Attending any Saturday evening Mass fulfills one's Sunday obligation.

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Is vigil mass same as anticipated Mass?

Some call them anticipated Masses while others prefer to call them vigil Masses. Over the centuries, the vigil Mass often took on a somewhat “penitential” character. Vigils for the Ascension, Christmas, and so forth were not as “bright” and “happy” as the actual feast day (for the reasons given by St. John Vianney).

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What do you wear to a vigil Mass?

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Black is traditional but any dark color is usually considered appropriate. A dark-colored suit and tie for men is often seen as traditional attire, but need not be so formal. Meanwhile, a black dress or suit for female mourners is also considered appropriate.

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How early can you have a vigil mass?

Pope Pius XII, in the apostolic constitution Christus Dominus, set the earliest hour for such a Mass at 4 p.m. Until the Church issues a new rule regarding when to officially define “evening” in canon 1248, 4 p.m. remains the earliest time a Mass is considered to fulfill the next day's obligation.

What is vigil mass mean? (2024)

What to expect at a Catholic vigil?

Catholic vigil (wake)

Typically held at night, it might take place at a Catholic church, a funeral home, the family home or an alternate location. Guests offer prayers and condolences to the family and may read scripture. Eulogies, singing and poetry readings may also take place during a vigil.

Is Missing Mass on Sunday a mortal sin?

Our Sunday Mass obligation is based on the Third Commandment: “Remember the sabbath day — keep it holy” (Ex 20:8). All of the commandments of God are serious matter, so to deliberately miss Mass on Sunday — without a just reason — would objectively be considered a mortal sin.

Is there Communion at a Vigil Mass?

Yes, the Vigil Mass fulfills the Sunday obligation of the Feast of Divine Mercy, so the extraordinary graces are available when you receive Holy Communion in a state of grace at the Saturday Vigil Mass.

What is the meaning of Saturday Vigil Mass?

a Mass held on Saturday evening, attendance at which fulfils one's obligation to attend Mass on Sunday. Collins English Dictionary.

How long is a Catholic vigil service?

How long is a Catholic funeral? If you're wondering how long does a Catholic funeral last, the answer varies depending on whether the service includes a Requiem Mass. If one is included, the funeral lasts around 60 minutes, otherwise it is around 30 minutes long.

How long does night vigil last?

In parish usage, many portions of the service such as the readings from the Synaxarion during the Canon at Matins are abbreviated or omitted, and it therefore takes approximately two or two and a half hours to perform.

Is it OK to go to church on Saturday instead of Sunday?

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! And you can (and should) do that every day of the week!

Does the vigil mass count for Divine Mercy Sunday?

A. Yes, the Vigil Mass fulfills the Sunday obligation of the Feast of Divine Mercy, so the extraordinary graces are available when you receive Holy Communion in a state of grace at the Saturday Vigil Mass.

Why do Catholics go to Mass on Saturday?

On Saturdays, many Catholics make what is called the “First Saturdays Devotion,” which entails going to Mass and receiving Communion for the first Saturday of the month for five consecutive months in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as Our Lady requested at Fatima.

Who attends a Catholic vigil?

Often, a “Vigil” is held the night before the funeral, which many people consider to be similar to viewing or wake, where friends and family members gather together to pray for the deceased. This could happen in a funeral home, a church or someone's house, or even outside in a park.

Is the Easter Vigil Mass the same as the Sunday Mass?

The Easter Vigil is never to be compared to a Saturday evening anticipated Mass, but rather, it is in itself its own unique liturgy. The Vigil is not an anticipated Mass for Easter Sunday; however, attendance at the Easter Vigil does fulfill the Easter Sunday obligation.

Is it a mortal sin to miss Mass on a day of obligation?

It is still considered a mortal sin to miss Mass on a day of obligation without a good reason. The church has always believed that this obligation stems from the Ten Commandments given to Moses, one of which was to “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

Does midnight Mass fulfill obligation?

Answer: Yes, there are two Mass obligations, the Sunday obligation and the Christmas obligation. A person cannot fulfill both obligations with one Mass. In order to fulfill a Mass obligation, we must attend either on the day of the feast or on the evening preceding (Code of Canon Law 1248).

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