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Holy Saturday or “Sábado de Gloria”? The origin and meaning of this day
Holy Saturday takes place in silence, as if time had stopped. But it is precisely in that pause that the most important celebration for Christians, the Easter Vigil, is prepared.
TL;DR
- Holy Saturday is a day of silence and preparation for the Easter Vigil.
- It was formerly known as "Sábado de Gloria" because the Easter Vigil was held in the morning, a practice changed by liturgical reforms.
- The reform by Pope Pius XII moved the Easter Vigil to the night, recovering its original sense of passage from darkness to light.
- Christians believe that on Holy Saturday, Christ descended into hell to announce salvation to the departed.
- Mary's steadfast faith during this period is highlighted as a model for the Church.
- The Easter Vigil celebrates Christ's resurrection with new fire, the Paschal candle, and readings recounting salvation history.
- Holy Saturday represents the mystery of Christ's descent into the underworld, a salvific action that overcomes death.