I would like to thank two colleagues, photographer Raul Roa and sports editor Jeff Tully, for pointing out to me last week that those who do not wish to go to Mass on Sunday but instead wish to watch a major sporting event can indeed go to the Saturday vigil Mass, which in most parishes is celebrated on Saturday afternoon, to meet their Sunday obligation.
The vigil Mass is akin to the vigils on Holy Saturday (the vigil to Easter Sunday); and the vigil of the birth of Christ, also known as Christmas Eve. A vigil is also known as "anticipation," as we celebrate Christmas Vigil Mass in anticipation of the birth of Christ on Christmas Eve, or we celebrate Mass in anticipation of the Lord's resurrection on Holy Saturday. Each Saturday at the vigil Mass, we anticipate receiving the Eucharist and observing God's day on Sunday.
However, depending on which Mass you go to, not all Saturday Masses are vigil Masses. A true vigil Mass contains all of the elements of a Sunday Mass. This means that the readings and Gospel will match the Sunday readings. Take a look at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' website. On its "Readings" homepage, click on any Saturday, and you will see the readings are significantly different than on Sunday.
