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Often Catholics will ask when Easter "officially" starts. Does Easter begin on Holy Saturday?
Holy Saturday is meant to be a day of prayer and silence, preparing our hearts for the celebration of Jesus' resurrection on Easter morning.
For many centuries there was no liturgy on Holy Saturday, and the Easter Vigil only began after midnight.
Author Herbert Thurston gives a brief explanation in his book, Lent and Holy Week.
The Easter Vigil in the Roman Catholic Church now begins after sundown, starting with an elaborate liturgy of lighted candles and readings from the Bible.
Shortly before the Gospel is read, the "Alleluia" is intoned for the first time since before Lent. It is a liturgical way of celebrating Jesus' resurrection.
For someone who wants to know the "official" start of the celebratory Easter season, it would be after that glorious singing of "Alleluia."
Try to hold-off on any Easter celebrations until after the Easter Vigil, which for many people won't end until 10:00 or 11:00 p.m.
