# Holy Saturday: Embracing God’s Silence
*2018-03-31*

> Bill Young reflects on the meaning of God’s silence on Holy Saturday, connects it to the Lenten journey, and leads listeners through a Holy Saturday rosary.

## The Silence of God

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. Today is Holy Saturday, the day the Church marks as a day of God’s silence. Pope Francis reminds us that this silence is not empty; it is a profound expression of love and solidarity with all who suffer. In the silence of the tomb, Jesus shares in humanity’s tragedy of death, yet that very silence points forward to the hope of the Resurrection. Mary, too, waited in silent expectation, becoming the icon of Holy Saturday for us.

## Lenten Silence and Hope

As we near the end of Lent, we are asked to consider how the silence we have practiced has prepared us to hope in the power of the Resurrection. The silence of prayer, fasting, and contemplation creates space for God’s mercy to fill the emptiness in our hearts.

## The Holy Saturday Rosary

In keeping with the day’s spirit, I will pray the rosary. We begin with the opening prayers of the Legion of Mary:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

[The Joyful Mysteries are prayed, each followed by the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be. The mysteries include the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Presentation, and the Finding of the Child in the Temple. Each mystery’s fruit—humility, love of neighbor, poverty and spirit, obedience, and joy—are mentioned in the brief reflections.]

## Intercessory Prayers

We conclude with prayers for the souls in purgatory and for the intercession of saints:

Lord Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of your mercy.

We pray for the soul of Fr. Frank Duff, founder of the Legion of Mary, that his intercession may obtain for Gregory Young a return to the Lord.

We also pray for the soul of Adelquin, that through her intercession many may come to believe in Christ.

All prayers are offered in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

## Conclusion

That concludes our Holy Saturday reflection. Tomorrow we begin anew with the joy of Easter. May God’s silent love fill you with hope, and may the Resurrection bring you new life. God bless you all.

*In God’s silence we find the space to hear the promise of the Resurrection.*