Holy Week

After 40 days of preparation, the Church now comes to the most important week in the church year. Beginning with Palm Sunday we recall the last days as Jesus approaches the cross. Everything leads up to Thursday evening when we begin the celebration of the Triduum—the three days that mark the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Holy Thursday is the evening we gather for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. (No other Mass is permitted on this day.) On the night before he died, Jesus ate the Passover supper with his disciples. From the time of Moses to the present day, the Jewish people would annually celebrate the events that saved them from their slavery in Egypt at a meal. It was during this supper that Jesus took the bread and wine, calling it his own body and blood that would now celebrate our freedom from sin and death. It was also at this meal that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples emphasizing the need to serve others. Our Mass will begin at 7 pm and be followed by adoration until 11 pm.

Good Friday is the only day that the church does not celebrate Mass. The day is marked by fasting and everyone between the ages of 18 and 59 that is in good health is required to fast. The official service tells the story of Jesus’ passion and death as recorded in the Gospel of John.   The service also takes time to venerate the cross on which Jesus died. It is followed by communion and dismissal. It begins at 5:30 pm.  Earlier (3 pm) the 7th graders from Blessed Sacrament will put on a re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross. All are welcomed.

Holy Saturday concludes the Triduum with Easter Vigil Mass. It begins at dark (8pm) with the blessing of the new fire on the front steps of the church. Our Paschal Candle is lit and carried into the dark church as the first light of the resurrected Lord. Several scripture passages are read concluding with the resurrection of Jesus. We then baptize and receive into the church those who have been preparing for initiation. The Mass ends with a joyful celebration of the Eucharist. This celebration dates from the very beginnings of our faith. Although longer than most Masses, I strongly encourage you to join us. We are celebrating Easter in much the same way the first Christians did. We will also welcome six new members into the church that night. There are no other Masses on Holy Saturday.

Easter Sunday Masses will be held at the regular times of 7 am, 8:30 am, and 10:30 am. There will be music before both the 8:30 and 10:30 Masses.

A few other reminders: There is no 4:30 pm Mass next Saturday and no weekday Masses on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  On these, there will be morning prayer at 8 am. Confessions will be heard on Thursday and Friday mornings from 7:30 to 7:45 am. There will be no confessions next Saturday.  The Chrism Mass (Blessing of the New Oil) will be held 6:30 pm Tuesday evening at the Cathedral. All are welcome.

The three days (Triduum) is about Jesus’ victory over sin and death. He died and rose for you and me. It is the greatest gift of love ever given. Please make plans to join us in this celebration.  You will be glad you did.

 Father Jeff