What is a vigil mass?
A vigil mass is a mass said on the day before a major feast day. Vigil masses are “waiting” masses, meaning that the approaching feast day is of such import that the Church desires the faithful to take a day to prepare themselves to celebrate it fully, with true hearts and clear dispositions. A vigil mass day is therefore usually a day of fast and/or abstinence and the mass itself has propers – specific prayers – that call the soul to purify itself in preparation of the feast tomorrow.
