Holy Day Vigil Masses

[High Peak]

Can anyone tell me why some Holy Day Masses have an actual Vigil Mass, with its own readings and propers (eg Assumption) whereas for others, any Mass held on the eve is an Anticipatory Mass, with the same readings and propers as on the day itself (eg All Saints).

[High Peak]

I found the answer.

There isn't really one!!

See link below.

https://paulturner.org/vigil-mass/

[Hare]

One can see the reason for the greatest vigil of the year - the Easter Vigil. And the Pentecost Vigil is I suppose emblamatic of the waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Vigil Mass of Christmas is explained I imagine by the fact that although it fulfils the Christmas oblogation, its timing places it still in Advent - which is reflected in the readings and prayers. I wonder whether there is a very prosaic explanation for the others (John the Baptist, Peter & Paul, Assumption....) in that it allows use of a a wider choice of scriptures for these significant feasts? Just some thoughts!

[Keraulophon]

A very few vigils not only have a specific Liturgy of the Word, but also a set of optional readings and psalms on the same pattern as Easter.

[High Peak]

One can see the reason for the greatest vigil of the year - the Easter Vigil. And the Pentecost Vigil is I suppose emblamatic of the waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Vigil Mass of Christmas is explained I imagine by the fact that although it fulfils the Christmas oblogation, its timing places it still in Advent - which is reflected in the readings and prayers. I wonder whether there is a very prosaic explanation for the others (John the Baptist, Peter & Paul, Assumption....) in that it allows use of a a wider choice of scriptures for these significant feasts? Just some thoughts!

If I racall correctly, the range of Christmass Masses available, with their associated readings and propers, is down to an expectation of, say, religious communities celebratinging all four of them.