Black Saturday 2023: Date, History, Facts about Holy Week

Black Saturday is a Philippine public holiday. It is a day of mourning commemorating the day Jesus Christ was placed to rest in his tomb following his crucifixion, hence the colour black. Also known as Holy Saturday, it has also been called “White Saturday,” “Easter Eve,” and “Easter Vigil.” According to the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church, today is the last day of Holy Week, Lent, and the Easter Triduum. (that is, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday).

The background of Black Saturday

Black Saturday commemorates the day Jesus Christ was placed to rest in the tomb following his crucifixion. According to the Bible (Luke 23:50-56), Joseph of Arimathea requested the body of Jesus from Pilate. It is written: “He took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and deposited it in a rock-cut tomb where no one had yet been interred. It was the day of preparation and the commencement of the Sabbath. The women who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee followed, and they witnessed his body being placed in the tomb. They then returned and prepared aromatic plants and fragrances.”

According to Catholic doctrine, Christ also “descended into hell” on Black Saturday. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Christ descended into the realm of the dead.” He opened the portals of heaven for the righteous who had preceded him.”

Easter Vigil occurs on the evening of Black Saturday, in remembrance of the vigil that Jesus’ disciples and adherents observed following his crucifixion on Good Friday. A service that culminates in the commemoration of Christ’s resurrection, also known as the Paschal Vigil. As the church is plunged into darkness, a priest or minister enters carrying the Paschal candle as the chant “The Light of Christ” is sung. To celebrate Easter, after the blessing of the Paschal candle, the remainder of the church’s candles are lit and all lights are turned on.

Black Saturday is a “special non-working holiday” in the Philippines on which institutions and the majority of businesses are closed. Because the Philippines is predominantly Catholic, the majority of local radio and television stations do not broadcast or play boisterous music on Black Saturday, Holy Thursday, or Good Friday.

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5 UNKNOWN FACTS ABOUT HOLY WEEK RELIGIOUS RITUALS IN THE PHILIPPINES

On Good Friday, some devotees in the Philippine province of Pampanga imitate Christ’s crucifixion by undergoing their own crucifixion.

Some devotees demonstrate atonement by walking barefoot through the streets with a sack covering their temples and backs, dripping with blood from repeated flogging.

During Holy Week in Marinduque, the Moriones don masks and costumes resembling those of ancient Roman soldiers and parade around the city.

The’senakulo,’ a dramatic presentation of Christ’s passion and execution, may be performed on stage, in a chapel, or in the open air by professional and amateur actors.

The majority of Filipino Catholics flock to churches or auditoriums to hear the ‘Siete Palabras,’ which are sermons and prayers meditating on Christ’s seven final remarks from the cross.