Commentary: Vigil of the Nativity of St. John Baptist

Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist: Vigil, June 24

It's actually debatable whether this feast is a "saint's day." Well, no, it's not---but it fits in a major way into the feasts of the Incarnation of the Lord, as well.

[As a sidebar: feasts that have their own "vigil" propers: in the temporal cycle: Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. In the sanctoral cycle: Nativity of St. John the Baptist (Jun. 24), Saints Peter and Paul (Jun.29); and Assumption of the BVM (Aug. 15).]

The readings for the Vigil Mass are: Jeremiah 1:4-10; Ps. 71; I Peter 1:8-12; and Luke 1:5-17.

Please note that the Sacramentary says "This Mass may be used in the evening of June 23, either before or after Evening Prayer I of the solemnity." Also note that the euchology (the priestly prayers found in the Sacramentary) are all written to speak of being "in" the feast, and not "before" or "leading to" the feast.