VIGIL (

See also:

• LAT

Lat. vigilia, "

See also:

• WATCH (in O. Eng. wcecce, a keeping guard or watching, from wacian, to guard, watch, wacan, to wake)

watch ")  , in the Christian Church, the eve of a festival . The use of the word is, however, late, the vigiliae (pernoctationes, sravvvxi&es) having originally been the services, consisting of prayers, hymns, processions and some-times the eucharist, celebrated on the preceding night in preparation for the feast . The oldest of the vigils is that of . Easter Eve, those of Pentecost and Christmas being instituted somewhat later . With the Easter vigil the eucharist was specially associated, and baptism with that of Pentecost (see WHITSUNDAY) . The abuses connected with nocturnal vigils' led to their being attacked, especially by Vigilentius of Barcelona (c . 400), against whom Jerome fulminated in this as in other matters . The custom, however, increased, vigils being instituted for the other festivals, including those of saints . In the middle ages the nocturnal vigilia were, except in the monasteries, gradually discontinued, matins and vespers on the preceding day, with fasting, taking their place, In the Roman Catholic . Church the vigil is now usually celebrated on the morning of the day preceding the festival, except at Christmas, when a midnight mass is celebrated, and on Easter Eve . These vigils are further distinguished as privileged and unprivileged . The former (except that of the Epiphany) have special offices; in the latter the vigil is merely commemorated .

The Church of

England has reverted to early. custom in so far as only ".Easter Even " is distinguished by a special collect; gospel and epistle .