As we embark on another Holy Week, the most sacred time of the church year, we are called to remember in a special way the gift of Our Lord, Jesus Christ offers us upon the cross of salvation.
This year has certainly been a different one for us all. We have had to change many practices within our own lives. Many things within our own ability to worship God have had to change or at a minimum, be amended.
I write to you today in order that I might explain a few things that will be different for our community in this year’s Sacred Triduum liturgies.
Typically, each year at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, we are used to seeing the traditional washing of feet of the laity. However, this year, as an option that the church gives us, the traditional washing of feet will not take place.
On Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion, we are generally used to private veneration of the Sacred Cross. This would entail the faithful forming a line as for communion and coming forth to venerate the cross in the sanctuary. However, this year, we will be using the option the church gives us for a public adoration, that is, after the clergy have venerated the cross, the faithful will be invited to kneel in their place for a brief time so that we might remember the sacrifice of Our Lord.
For the most part, these are the simple changes that you will see during the Triduum liturgies. It is my hope that next year, we will be together again in a more normal situation that will permit us to return to our more recognizable traditions.
As a means of note, I wish to talk briefly about our Easter Sunday Masses. As a reminder, we will offer the Easter Vigil at 8:30pm on Saturday evening, as well as our normal 7:30am, 9:30am and 11:30am masses on Easter Sunday. Both the 9:30 and 11:30 will have simultaneous masses in the Church and Social Hall.
As in the past, we expect a large number in attendance and we do not wish to turn anyone away. However, if you and your family would feel more comfortable at a smaller liturgy, I would invite you to attend one of our octave Masses, still celebrated as Easter, throughout the week.
I look forward to celebrating this wonderful season with you all. May God continue to bless you each day.
Fr. Black