Dear Parishioners,
This Sunday, Palm Sunday, we enter into our celebration of Holy Week. While we have been experiencing increasing numbers, I realize that many may still not feel comfortable in attending Mass in person. Thus, I invite you to join us via our Live-Stream to take part in our Holy Week and Easter liturgies.
On Palm Sunday, we go up the mountain with Jesus towards the Temple, accompanying Him on His ascent. The procession which normally takes place before the Mass is meant, then, to be an image of something deeper: to reflect on the fact that, together with Jesus, we are setting out on a pilgrimage along the high road that leads to the living God. This is the ascent that matters. This is the journey which Jesus invites us to make as we enter Holy Week. Through the various liturgies of this coming week, we are invited to enter more deeply into the paschal mystery of our savior’s suffering, death, and resurrection.
On Holy Thursday morning, the priests of the Archdiocese gather for the annual celebration of the Chrism Mass. In the Chrism Mass, the holy oils are at the center of the liturgical action. They are consecrated in the bishop’s cathedral for the whole year. They, thus, serve also as an expression of the Church’s unity, guaranteed by the episcopate, and they point to Christ, the true ‘shepherd and guardian’ of our souls. Another dimension to this Mass is how in the biblical narrative of Holy Week Jesus visits his friends at Bethany and Mary anoints him with precious oil, preparing him for his burial. In this way, the Chrism Mass points to what will happen later in the week.
On Holy Thursday evening, at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, we recall that moment when Jesus began the celebration of His final meal with His disciples and instituted the Holy Eucharist. The words Jesus spoke to his disciples: “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you,” remind us that Jesus desires to share Himself with us and to be one with us.
On Good Friday we are taken to the mount of Calvary. "Christus factus est pro nobis oboediens usque ad mortem, mortem autem crucis." - "For us Christ became obedient unto death, even death on a cross." Through Christ’s death on the cross, He opens for us the way to salvation and eternal life. The Cross of Christ, which we will venerate on Good Friday, is the cause of hope and reminds us constantly of God’s love for us.
Our celebration of Holy Week comes to an end on Holy Saturday evening. The story of our salvation history is recalled for us through the readings at the vigil and culminates in the proclamation of the account of the resurrection. In the resurrection of Jesus, love has been shown to be stronger than death, stronger than evil. Love made Christ descend, and love is also the power by which He ascends.
Msgr. Breier
This Weekend in our Parish
Saturday, March 23
- 7:00 am Cathedral Open for Private Prayer and Devotion
- 8:00 am Mass -
- 11:00 am Ushers Practice for Triduum and Luncheon
- 3:30 - 4:30 pm Holy Hour - concluding with Evening Prayer and Benediction
- 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Confessions
- 5:00 pm Mass
- 6:00 pm Cathedral Closes
Sunday, Palm Sunday
- 7:00 am Cathedral Open for Private Prayer and Devotion
- 8:00 am Mass
- 9:00 am - 9:50 am Confessions
- 10:00 am Mass - Archbishop Rozanski, main celebrant
- 11:00 am - 11:50 am Confessions
- 12:00 Noon Mass
- 1:00 pm Cathedral Tour
- 1:30 pm RCIA
- 5:00 pm Mass
- 6:00 pm Cathedral Closes
Holy Thursday, March 28
- Chrism Mass - 10:00 am
- Mass of the Lord's Supper 7:30 pm
- Tenebrae - Following Mass of the Lord's Supper (around 9:00 pm)
- The Basilica will close at Midnight.
- (Holy Thursday Masses will be livestreamed)
Good Friday, March 29
- Confessions: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
- The Passion of Our Lord - 3:00 pm
- (Service will be livestreamed)
- Stations of the Cross - 7:00 pm
Holy Saturday, March 30
- Confessions: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
- Easter Vigil - 8:00 pm
- (Easter Vigil will be livestreamed)
Easter Sunday, March 31
- Masses - 8:00 am - 10:00 am - 12 Noon
- (10 am will be livestreamed)