Roman Catholics traditionally observe Black or Holy Saturday starting with the observance of the Day of the Entombed Christ (Santo Entierro) during the day and the Easter Vigil at night.
The faithful traditionally offer prayers and light candles before the image of the Sacred Entombed Christ in churches.
No masses will be held in all Catholic churches today. The faithful are encouraged to reflect on the Seven Sorrows of Mary: The Prophecy of Simeon in the Temple, the Flight into Egypt, the Disappearance of the Child Jesus in the Temple, the Carrying of the Cross on Mount Calvary, the Crucifixion, the Taking Down from the Cross, and the Burial of Jesus. Meditations and reflections are focused on the passion and death of Christ, and His descent into hell before His glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Images inside churches will remain draped in purple. The administration of sacraments is severely limited. Holy Communion is given only as a viaticum or to a dying person.
The shift from mourning to joy begins at night with the observance of the Easter Vigil, the third and final day of the Paschal Triduum that began on Maundy Thursday. At the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila, the Easter Vigil Mass will be at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 16.
According to St. Cyril of Jerusalem, “The Easter Vigil, although celebrated at night, is always as bright as day, symbolic of the Risen Christ.” Traditionally marked by the symbolic unveiling of the images inside churches followed by the “salubong,” the Easter Vigil is a time of joy and is considered as the Mother of all Holy Vigils and the Great Service of Light.
Meanwhile, Diocese of Baguio Bishop Victor Bendico reminded the faithful to continue to observe the safety health protocols despite the decline in coronavirus cases.
"I know this is something that the people have been looking forward to but I would like to remind everyone that the pandemic is still ongoing so we have to continue to be careful,” he said.