April 19, 2025, Holy Saturday, Holy Rosary (Joyful Mysteries) | Fifth Anniversary of the Rosary Network

Friends of the Rosary,Holy Saturday (from Sabbatum Sanctum, its official liturgical name) is the day of the Lord’s rest; it has been called the “Second Sabbath” since the creation of the world.It’s a day of great silence on earth, instituted to enter reflectively into the divine rest.After the great battle against sin and death, Christ Jesus is resting in peace. Upon Him we see the scars of intense suffering, with mortal wounds on His Body that remain visible.Jesus’ enemies are still furious, attempting to obliterate the memory of the Lord by lies and slander.In the silence of the day, Christ Jesus didn’t choose divine vengeance but the ultimate demonstration of divine love.On Holy Saturday, while we meditate on the Passion and crucifixion of Christ, we wait with Our Lady of Sorrows — the Church is represented in Mary — at the Lord’s Christ tomb on His descent into the land of the dead.As the Catechism of the Catholic Church makes clear, “he descended there as Savior, proclaiming the good news to the spirits imprisoned there.”In the evening, as the sun sets, the Church gathers for Easter Vigil. The Church awaits the return in glory in its full splendor of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.After the readings of the crucial moments in creation and salvation history, the Church anticipates the proclamation of the Lord’s Resurrection by singing the Gloria, bells are rung, and the church is fully illuminated, anticipating Easter celebration.Dying with Christ is no recapitulation. As Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life, as St. Paul wrote.Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• April 19, 2025, Today’s Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET