Today is Holy Saturday, the quietest and most contemplative day in the Christian calendar. It is a day suspended between sorrow and joy, grief and hope. The Cross stands behind us, and the empty tomb lies just ahead—but for now, we wait.
This is the day Jesus lay in the tomb. The world holds its breath. The liturgies fall silent. The disciples are scattered, grieving and uncertain. And yet, beneath the stillness, something sacred is stirring.
Holy Saturday invites us into a space we often rush to avoid: waiting in the unknown. It is the space between heartbreak and healing, between suffering and salvation.
For many, it mirrors real life—the times when we are caught in uncertainty, not yet seeing the light but holding onto faith that it will come.
In our hospitaller mission, we often accompany people through such “Holy Saturday” moments—waiting for a diagnosis, sitting at a bedside, walking through grief or recovery. On this day, we are reminded that God is present even in the silence.
Traditionally, Holy Saturday is a day of stillness. The Eucharist is not celebrated. The church remains unadorned. The tabernacle is empty. And yet, this silence is not without meaning. It is a holy silence, rich with anticipation.
This is also the day when Jesus descended to the dead—a mystery affirming that Christ goes even to the depths to bring light, hope, and redemption.
Jesus did not resist or retaliate; instead, He accepted the will of the Father, showing us that even in suffering, there is purpose, and in death, there is victory.
As evening falls, we begin the Easter Vigil, the “mother of all vigils.” It begins in darkness, with the lighting of the Paschal Candle, symbolising the light of Christ rising in the shadows.
This moment marks the transition from sorrow to celebration, from mourning to Resurrection. But before we celebrate, we are asked to pause, to sit with the silence and allow it to deepen our hope.
In a world of instant answers and fast solutions, Holy Saturday teaches patience, trust, and the quiet strength of hope. It tells us that even when we cannot see the way forward, God is at work in hidden and mysterious ways.
At Sisters Hospitallers, this day resonates deeply with our mission. We are often called to be present in life’s in-between moments—offering care, comfort, and simply the gift of being there.
Lord, in this quiet day between death and new life, help us to wait with patience and hope. Teach us to trust Your presence even in silence. Be with all who suffer, all who wait, and all who long for healing. May the light of Your Resurrection dawn gently in every heart. Amen.
A Prayer for Holy Saturday
As we prepare to rejoice in the Resurrection tomorrow, let us honour the holy waiting of today, holding space for reflection, compassion, and gentle hope.
Wishing you peace and quiet grace this Holy Saturday,
from all of us at Sisters Hospitallers CIO.