HOLY SATURDAY

The martyrdom of the Virgin Mary, implicit in Simeon's prophecy, is put before us in the story of Our Lord's Passion. Blessed Mother, a sword did pierce your soul, for no sword could penetrate your Son's flesh without piercing your soul. Though he belong to us all, He was yours in a special sense, and we rightly speak of you as more than a martyr, for the anguish of mind you suffered exceeded all bodily pain (St Bernard).

Consider the meeting of the Son and the Mother, which took place on this journey. Their looks become like so many arrows to wound those hearts which love each other so tenderly (St Alphonsus)

Mary endured martyrdom in her soul, an anguish of mind exceeding all bodily pain. Could her Son die bodily and she not share His death in her heart? It was love that moved Him to suffer death, and it was love that moved Mary, the like of which no mother has ever known (St Bernard).

Look at what our Spouse's love cost Him; in order to free us from death....Fix your eyes on the Crucified and everything will become small for you (St Teresa of Avila).

Consider how, after Our Lord had expired, two of His disciples, Joseph and Nicodemus, took Him down from the Cross and laid Him in the arms of His afflicted Mother who received Him with unutterable tenderness and pressed Him to her bosom (St Alphonsus).

If you would understand that the Cross is Our Lord's triumph, hear what He Himself said:' If I am lifted up, I will draw all people to myself'. In sharing His Cross, you are seeking His glory (St John of the Cross).

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOLY SATURDAY 1.

From an ancient homily for Holy Saturday

Something strange is happening -- there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear. He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the Cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: 'My Lord be with you all.' Christ answered him: 'And with your spirit.' He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: 'Awake, o sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.' I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in Hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in Me and I in you; together we form one person and cannot be separated.
For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, Whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden. See on My Face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On My back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See My hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree. I slept on the cross and a sword pierced My side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in Hell. The sword that pierced Me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you. Rise. Let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise.
I will not restore you to that paradise, but will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity - credit: FISH EATERS

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOLY SATURDAY 2.