Daily readings

Saturday, April 4, 2026

Holy Saturday/Easter Vigil. Holy Week. A clean reading layout for church, prayer, or preparation.

CelebrationHoly Saturday/Easter Vigil

TypeTriduum

SeasonHoly Week

Year2026 archive

The Roman Catholic readings for this date are shown below on-site. Use plain reading mode if you want clearer modern wording, or switch back to the original Douay-Rheims wording at any time.

Reading mode

Plain mode helps modern readers follow the text more easily.

On-site scripture text: Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition. Plain mode is a built-in reading aid that modernizes older wording for easier understanding while keeping the same Roman Catholic reading references for the day.

1

First Reading

Isaiah 54:5-14

How to approach it

Read this as the first big movement of the day. Notice what God is doing, who is speaking, and what part of the story or teaching should stay with you.

5For he that made you shall rule over you, the Lord of hosts is his name: and your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, shall be called the God of all the earth.

6For the Lord has called you as woman left and mourning in spirit, end se a wife cast off from her youth, said your God.

7For a, small moment have I left you, but with great mercies will I gather you.

8In a moment of indignation have I hid my face a little while from you, but with eternal kindness have I had mercy on you, said the Lord your Redeemer.

9This thing is to me as in the days of Noe, to whom I swore, that I would no more bring in the waters of Noe upon the earth: so have I sworn not to be angry with you, and not to rebuke you.

10For the mountains shall be moved, and the hills shall tremble; but my mercy shall not depart from you, and the covenant of my peace shall not be moved: said the Lord that has mercy on you.

11OH poor little one, tossed with tempest, without all comfort, look I will lay your stones in order, and will lay your foundations with sapphires,

12And I will make your bulwarks of jasper: and your gates of graven stones, and all your borders of desirable stones.

13All your children shall be taught of the Lord: and great shall be the peace of your children.

14And you shall be founded in righteousness: depart far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.

2

Psalm

Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23

How to pray it

The psalm is meant to be prayed, not rushed. If the wording feels older, focus on the main movement of the prayer: trust, praise, sorrow, gratitude, or hope.

1Give praise to Lord, for he is good: for his mercy lasts forever.

2Let Israel now say that he is good: that his mercy lasts forever.

16The right hand of the Lord has wrought strength: the right hand of the Lord has exulted me: the right hand of the Lord has wrought strength.

17I shall not die, but live: and shall declare the works of the Lord.

22The stone which the builders rejected; the same is become the head of the corner.

23This is the Lord's doing: and it is wonderful in our eyes.

3

Second Reading

Exodus 14:15—15:1

How to read it

This reading often teaches Christians how to live with steadiness, charity, and faith. Look for one clear encouragement or warning you can carry into the day.

Full on-site text is not available for this reference yet, so use the reference above and the official link below.

4

Gospel

Matthew 28:1-10

What to watch for

The Gospel is the center of the reading set. Pay close attention to what Jesus says, what Jesus does, and what response he is asking for.

1And in the end of the sabbath, when it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalen and the other Mary, to see the tomb.

2And look there was a great earthquake. For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and coming, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.

3And his face was as lightning, and his clothing as snow.

4And for fear of him, the guards were struck with terror, and became as dead men.

5And the angel answering, said to the women: Fear not you; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.

6He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. Come, and see the place where the Lord was laid.

7And going quickly, tell you his disciples that he is risen: and look he will go before you into Galilee; there you shall see him. Lo, I have foretold it to you.

8And they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, running to tell his disciples.

9And look Jesus met them, saying: All hail. But they came up and took hold of his feet, and adored him.

10Then Jesus said to them: Fear not. Go, tell my brothers and sisters that they go into Galilee, there they shall see me.

Source note

This page uses the Catholic Readings API for the day's references and liturgical celebration data, while the on-site scripture text is rendered from the public-domain Douay-Rheims Bible distributed through the Open Bibles project.