Why is there no Mass on Holy Saturday?
Holy Saturday is a period of waiting. The Church awaits the Resurrection of Jesus following his suffering and death on the cross on Good Friday.
Paschalis Solemnitatis, a Vatican document regarding “The Preparation And Celebration Of The Easter Feasts,” explains:
"On Holy Saturday, the Church is, as it were, at the Lord's tomb, meditating on his Passion and Death, and on his descent into Hell, and awaiting his resurrection with prayer and fasting.
“The Church abstains strictly from the celebration of the sacrifice of the Mass” on Holy Saturday.
Catholics celebrate Mass on Easter Vigil, which “takes place at night. It should not begin before nightfall; it should end before daybreak on Sunday.”
Why is There No Mass on Holy Saturday? Franciscan Priest Explains the Reason
In an exclusive video for ChurchPOP, EWTN priest Father Leonard Mary, MFVA, of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word, briefly explains why Catholics do not celebrate Mass on Holy Saturday and why the Eucharistic Tabernacle is empty.
On Holy Saturday, “we continue to prayerfully meditate on the death of Jesus, being in mourning but in longing for His glorious Resurrection,” Father Leonard Mary says.
Watch Father Leonard Mary's video about Holy Saturday below:
Here’s the full text of the video:
"My brothers and sisters: it's Holy Saturday, and when we enter our churches, we experience emptiness, dryness, and even a little sadness. The Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist is not in the Tabernacle. There is no celebration of Holy Mass. In fact, we haven't offered Mass since Holy Thursday evening.
"Yesterday, on Good Friday, we entered deeper into the mysteries of the suffering and death of Jesus. And today, we continue to prayerfully meditate on the death of Jesus, being in mourning but in longing for His glorious Resurrection, which we will experience this evening at the Easter vigil. And so may Almighty God bless you, give you his peace, the Father the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen."