A vigil is a period of intentional wakefulness set aside for devotional activities.
Roman Catholic AnswerA vigil in the Christian religion is the day, or evening before a feast of solemnity which has one. They used to be far more numerous than they are at present. Now we only have Vigils for three Solemnities: Christmas (Christmas Eve), Easter (the Vigil Mass), and Pentecost.from Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, NY 1980
Vigil. The day or eve before a more or less prominent feast or solemnity. It was observed as a preparation for the following day with special offices and prayers and formerly with a fast, honoring the particular mystery of religion or the saint to be venerated on the feast day. The Church today observes solemn vigils for Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. Although the number of such solemn vigils has been reduced since the Second Vatican Council, the church sill wants the notion to vigils to be kept alive in the minds of the faithful. Thus "it is fitting that Bible services on the vigils of great feasts, on certain ferial days of Lent and Advent, on Sundays and feastdays, should also have the same structure as the liturgy of the Word at Mass" (Inter Oecumenici, 1964, 38). (Etym. Latin vigilia, from vigil, alert.)
A night before a religious feast
unattentive
watch, sleeplessness, wake.
Using the context clues of the vigilant, which means "alert," vigil should mean something like "watchful person."
Vigil is a set lookout. Usually it is a solitary activity, similar to a watchman who looks out over the town for a set time."Roxanne settled down for her vigil over the sick baby."
Vigil is a noun.
Which Vigil Mass? Every major solemnity has a Vigil Mass and communion is distributed at each one. Eg: Christmas Vigil, Holy Saturday Easter Vigil, Pentecost Vigil, etc.
Vigil means an Activity.
No, Vigil means a Ceremony.
Antonyms of vigil are neglect and indifference.
Everywhere! That is why it is called a vigil.
They held a candlelight vigil.
Vigil Stakes was created in 1956.
Olga Vigil was born in 1970.
Robert Vigil was born in 1953.
Myrna Vigil is 5' 2".
Shandel Vigil is 5' 3".
Terri Vigil is 5' 1".