All Hallows Eve: “In the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing as it were slain”

The Vigil of All Saints had been a proper vigil with its own Mass and Office since the eighth century, right up until it got canceled in 1957. It was canceled and not replaced with anything. Feria. Because when something works well for 1200 years, you should definitely get rid of it.

From my 1948 hand missal:

“The preparing by a solemn vigil for the celebration of All Saints Day probably dates from the eighth century, when November 1 was fixed for the celebration of the feast. The fast on this vigil is of universal observance. As on other vigils, Holy Mass is celebrated in purple vestments, and the liturgy throughout is of a penitential character. Let our life here on earth be lived by us with the help of God’s grace, as a preparation for an eternity happy with God in His Heavenly home.”

Collect: O Lord, our God, multiply Thy graces upon us, and grant that joy may follow in the holy praise of those whose glorious festival we anticipate.

Epistle (Apoc. 5:6-12): In those days, behold I, John, saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing as it were slain, having seven horns and seven eyes: which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne. And when he had opened the book, the four living creatures, and the four and twenty ancients fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints: And they sung a new canticle, saying: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; because thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God, in thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation. And hast made us to our God a kingdom and priests, and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the living creatures, and the ancients; and the number of them was thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, ‘The Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and benediction.’

Amen! Blesssed All Hallows Eve.