Starting with the Passion Sunday blessing of palms this Sunday we begin 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, the high point in the life of the Church year. If you have not done so in the past and are able to attend the Holy Week celebrations, we would certainly invite you to do so.

On Monday, March 26th the Chrism Mass, at which the blessing of the holy oils and the sacred Chrism used in the sacraments, will be celebrated at 7:30PM 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, March 29th 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, March 30th (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. We will also have a Living Stations of the Cross at 11AM on Friday. 

On Saturday March 31st after sundown, 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, 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!