Dear Friends,
We journey closer and closer to Passiontide (the Fifth week in Lent and Holy Week) which will eventually give way in dramatic solemnity to the Sacred Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday). This is the ‘high point’ of our liturgical year; celebrated beautifully and reverently, it serves as the “font and summit from which and to which all the Church’s activity flows.” I’d like to take this opportunity to offer a little forecast of what you will encounter as we journey through these sacred days.
In the Roman Catholic Church, including here at Lourdes, all crucifixes and sacred images are often covered in veils (usually violet, the color of the vestments in Lent) starting on the Fifth Sunday in Lent. The veiling is associated with the Passion (Palm) Sunday's Gospel (John 8:46–59), in which Jesus "hid himself" from the people.
Also, the ringing of the bells during the consecration at each Mass during this time will be substituted by the “crotalus” which is used exclusively during this period in our liturgical year. In the Roman Rite, altar bells are not supposed to be rung after the Gloria in the liturgy on the evening of Holy Thursday, and are supposed to remain unused until the Gloria on Holy Saturday. This is meant to make things a bit more somber as we remember the passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Church’s liturgical rubrics do not prescribe a replacement for altar bells, but there is a long-standing tradition of using the crotalus, a wooden clacker or ‘noise-maker’ in its place. This serves to both mark the same events as the altar bells, but in a less “sweet and melodious” way, and thus maintain the somber tone of Passiontide. The term “crotalus” is a Latin term that comes from the Greek word “krotalon” (κροταλον), which means “rattle.” The crotalus was once used universally, but fell out of use in the last few decades; we will implement the crotalus here at Lourdes to offer our Faithful a different “mindfulness” during this revered time of the year, including all of Passiontide.
“Passiontide” continues throughout Holy Week as well. When you enter the church on Palm [Saturday or] Sunday, you will notice that the violet color in our sanctuary has turned to blood red. The Palm Sunday Masses [4:30 PM, 8:15 AM & 10:15 AM] will begin in the narthex (the gathering space) where the palms will be distributed and blessed in sacred ritual. The homily for this liturgy will be preached during the gathering rite after the first Gospel proclamation. At the 6:00 PM Mass, this will all take place in the church proper. After the proclamation of the Lord’s Passion during the Mass in the church proper, a moment of silent reflection will follow the Gospel. Please be prepared to follow and participate in the proclamation of the Passion by making use of the Breaking Bread hymnals and proclaim the parts designated for the gathered assembly.
The only Mass offered on Holy Thursday will be celebrated at 6:30 PM, as no Masses are permitted earlier in the day. Worshippers coming into the church throughout the day will quickly discover that the Blessed Sacrament will be absent from the tabernacles in the Eucharistic Chapel as well as the Saint Pius X Chapel of Reservation – as is REQUIRED by liturgical law; this happens each year at this time. The doors to the tabernacles will be open; using these chapels and the church during the Triduum is still welcome and is encouraged, nevertheless.
On Holy Thursday evening, the mandatum (washing of the feet) will be dispensed this year due to the lingering effects of the pandemic. It is my hope that all ritual practices associated with the Triduum will resume next year. As always, the Holy Thursday Mass will conclude with the beautiful “Transfer of the Holy Eucharist” from the church proper to the Saint Michael of the Saints Chapel. Private worship / adoration of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is available for all who would like to attend until 11:00 PM.
Our Good Friday liturgy will be celebrated at 12:10 PM this year. While we will certainly not “rush” a liturgy of this importance, we will be mindful of those who are coming from work to keep this most sacred day holy. Half way through the liturgy we will take part in the “Veneration of the Cross,” a paramount ritual during the Triduum. Once again, due to the lingering effects of the pandemic, our “veneration” will be offered not by kissing the cross, but by approaching the cross with a profound bow, or by a genuflection. Prie-dieus (kneelers) will be offered at four vantage points at the cross to assist people in their genuflection should they need a little support. The cross that will be venerated this year, and throughout my pastorate, will be a new sacred vessel for some, but it is one that has had a profound influence on all people of DePere for over 100 years. More about that in the brief Good Friday homily!
As prescribed by diocesan norms, our Holy Saturday Easter Vigil will commence at 8:00 PM and will begin with the blessing of the Easter Fire outside, adjacent to the church’s south-side entrance. I am aware that the seating in the church proper has been recently upholstered just prior to my arrival, so in an attempt to be a good steward of our furnishings, from the blessed fire we will then travel into the narthex where the entrance rites will begin with each worshipper holding a lit candle to accompany the gathering rites which will conclude in the narthex with the singing of the Exsultet. Once our candles have been extinguished, we will then proceed into a very dimly-lit church proper where we will continue our celebration with the Liturgy of the Word and the other Easter rituals that follow. As the Gloria is sung at the Holy Saturday Mass, all of the lights in the church will be brought to full illumination and we will remain in “full light” through Pentecost – this is an obvious change from the dimly-lit church we purposely experienced during Lent.
Masses on Easter Sunday will consist of a 5:45 AM Sunrise Mass and the 8:15 AM and 10:15 AM Masses. There will be no 6:00 PM Mass on Easter Sunday; I plan on being in bed at that time! The 5:45 AM Mass will be celebrated outdoors at the main entrance of the church. Please bring a lawn chair to pass! For those who prefer, especially in the case of inclement weather, feel free to remain in your cars. Obviously, we prefer that all will be gathered outdoors, outside of their cars, but the weather will dictate. At this Mass only, feel free to ignore the painted strips in the south parking lot and have your cars pointed in the direction of the bell tower and the main entrance of the church. You will need to leave your cars to receive Holy Communion. Should it be raining at this time, the Mass will obviously be moved inside the church.
The 8:15 AM and 10:15 AM Masses will be celebrated as is our custom; please be aware of and be welcoming to the many visitors at Mass and folks who are not regular worshippers with us. Hopefully, this will be an opportunity for us to offer radical hospitality whereby they may choose to return and join us with greater regularity!
Given the solemn nature of these liturgies, it is important that we enter and depart from the church, especially during Passiontide and the Triduum, in a reserved and quiet nature. In fact, The Holy Thursday – Good Friday – Holy Saturday celebrations are actually ONE liturgy, one sacred movement that is one liturgical continuum with pauses between each moment.
Finally, let me address the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Many Catholics choose to exercise their “Easter Duty” by celebrating the sacrament during Lent or Easter. Many, many parishioners celebrated the sacrament with me on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, Friday mornings and Saturday afternoons during Lent. I am grateful for such rewarding experiences of grace and mercy! The schedule for Reconciliation will remain during the Fifth Week of Lent: Tuesday and Thursday at 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM; Wednesday from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM; Friday from 8:00AM – 9:00 AM and again on Palm Saturday from 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM. DURING HOLY WEEK the only opportunity for Reconciliation at Lourdes will be on Wednesday of Holy Week from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM. The number of opportunities during Holy Week are limited due to the liturgical demands and norms of this week in particular – I will be honoring liturgies both at Lourdes and at Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral with my brother priests. Please know that one’s “Easter Duty” can certainly extend throughout the seven weeks of Easter!
Dear Friends, these are most sacred and special days, are they not? While I am in awe of the sacred beauty we celebrate in the Church and its liturgical year, nothing beats this specific time of year, I feel; and no one celebrates the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord as well as us Catholics. As we are reminded once again -- in Sacrament and Word -- of Christ’s self-less love for us, might our response to such love be hearts that are made pure during this Lenten journey so that we may offer back to God our own, “Living Sacrifice of Praise.”
May God continue to love you and keep you these Holy Days!
Father James Baraniak, O. Praem.
Pastor