Starting with the Passion Sunday blessing of palms we enter Holy Week, the most sacred time of the Church year. While many attend the Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday celebrations, there is so much more that transpires during this week. If you have not done so in the past and are able to attend the Holy Week celebrations, I would certainly invite you to do so – this year in particular, as we are able to celebrate it as close to “normal” than we have for the last two years!
On Monday, April 11th the Chrism Mass, at which the blessing of the holy oils and the sacred Chrism used in the sacraments, will be celebrated at 7PM at St. Robert Bellarmine Church in Freehold. Bishop David O’Connell is the principal celebrant, assisted by many of the diocesan priests and attended by people throughout the diocese – it is truly a wonderful experience in the solidarity of the local Church of Trenton to see so many turn out in common celebration.
On Holy Thursday, April 14th we celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper in Visitation church at 7:30PM. This marks the end of Lent and the start of the Easter Triduum (meaning “three days”) commemorating the Paschal Mystery (the suffering, death and resurrection) of Jesus. The Thursday evening Mass observes the Mandatum (the washing of the feet) as we remember Jesus instituting the Sacrament of the Eucharist, as a parish we formally receive the oils blessed at Monday’s Chrism Mass and follow with the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Garden of Repose and silent adoration.
On Good Friday, April 15th (a day of fasting and abstinence) the Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion and Death will be held at 3PM in Visitation. This special service (celebration of Masses are forbidden by the Church on Good Friday and on Holy Saturday before the Easter Vigil) vividly recalls Jesus suffering for our sins. Silent veneration of the Cross follows.
On Holy Saturday, April 16th, we mark the Resurrection with the most glorious celebration of the Church: the Easter Vigil Mass at 8PM. Beginning with the blessing of the Easter fire and the Celebration of Light, we recount the salvation history – of which we are a part – that culminates with the Light of the World, Jesus Christ himself.
Consider taking part in any or all of these celebrations, as well as the opportunities for 8AM Morning Prayer or 8PM Tenebrae services (the Liturgy of the Hours – the “prayer of the Church”) or the blessing of Food for Easter at 1:30PM on Holy Saturday. There’s so much that happens between Palm and Easter Sunday; make it extra-special this year and be a part of it!
Our FORMED Recommendation for the Week
This presentation is not rated, but was made with a general audience in mind. Sacred art images of the Passion may be considered too intense for the very young.
The Seven Sorrows of Mary (aka the Servite Rosary) is a traditional Catholic devotion featuring meditations on sorrowful episodes in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The prayers and meditations are accompanied by images of sacred art from many of the great masters as well as a lush, yet subtle, orchestral soundtrack."
The Seven Sorrows of Mary (aka the Servite Rosary) is a traditional Catholic devotion featuring meditations on sorrowful episodes in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The prayers and meditations are accompanied by images of sacred art from many of the great masters as well as a lush, yet subtle, orchestral soundtrack."
If you haven't done so already, go to https://visitationrcchurch.formed.org/, click on the REGISTER NOW button. Enter your e-mail address on the registration screen and you're good to go!
Do you find these weekly eCommunity mailings useful and think that family members or friends could benefit? Invite them either by having them text VisitationBrick to 84576 on their smartphone or by signing up on our parish website at http://visitationrcchurch.org/ - we'd love to have them join us!