A Powerful Prayer For A Holy Saturday.

My Lord, today all is silent.  You have given Your precious life for the salvation of the world.  You died a horrific death, poured out all Mercy from Your wounded Heart, and now You rest in peace in the tomb as the soldiers keep vigil.

Lord, may I also keep vigil with You as You sleep.  I know that this day ends with Your glorious triumph, Your victory over sin and death.  But for now I sit quietly mourning Your death.  

Help me, dear Lord, to enter into the sorrow and the silence of this Holy Saturday.  Today no Sacraments are celebrated.  Today the world waits in mourning in anticipation of the glory of new life!  

As I keep vigil, awaiting the celebration of Your Resurrection, fill me with hope.  Help me to look forward to the celebration of Your Resurrection, but also to look forward to the hope of my own share in the new life You won for the world.  I entrust my whole being to You, dear Lord, as You lay lifeless and still.  May Your rest transform the brokenness of my own soul, my weaknesses, my sin and my frailty.  You are glorious and You bring the greatest good out of Your apparent defeat.  I trust in Your power to do all things and I entrust my life to You.  Jesus, I trust in You.

(This prayer is designed to be said within the family before a Crucifix on Holy Saturday.)

No candles are lit on this day.
Mother or a child:

“May our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who alone by His powerful word governs all things, yet has buried the shame of the Cross and iron bonds,
who has broken the bars of the bronze doors and has descended into hell, who has shone with the brightness of a new light on those who were sitting in the shadow of death, may He,
the sun of justice, rising from the tomb, shine upon our darkness with the marvelous light of his risen Body.”

Father:
The women sitting at the sepulchre
Family:
were weeping and lamenting for the Lord.

Father:
Let us pray.
O God, who makes this most holy night illustrious by the glory of the resurrection of our Lord, preserve in the new children of your family the spirit of adoption which You have given, that, renewed in body and soul, they may give You a pure service. This we ask of You through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son.
Family:
Amen.
Father:
Let us bless the Lord.
Family:
Thanks be to God.

Father:
May the almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless and keep us.
Family:
Amen.