What is a Sunday vigil Mass?
William Rodriguez
Updated on May 05, 2026
Similarly one may ask, is vigil Mass the same as Sunday Mass?
While the Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar thus give a restricted meaning to the term "vigil Mass", the same term is sometimes used in a broader sense as indicated by the Collins English Dictionary definition: "a Mass held on Saturday evening, attendance at which fulfils one's obligation to
One may also ask, when can a vigil Mass be celebrated? The optional vigil Mass is used on the evening of the day before the Solemnity, either before or after First Vespers (Evening Prayer I) of the Solemnity. Required is Easter Vigil but it may be only after nightfall. Vigil Masses (Ordinary Form) in the Roman Calendar, on evening before the day given.
Thereof, what is the difference between Saturday vigil and Sunday Mass?
There is no difference between a Saturday evening vigil and a Sunday Mass. The same readings are used. It is the same Mass. In the Catholic Church, the Vigil has been extended to include Masses said in the afternoon of the previous day, all of which meet our Sunday/Holy Day obligations.
How long is a vigil Mass?
1.5 to 2 hours