Holy Week Liturgies

The time has passed quickly and our Lenten journey is coming to a close. Have we managed in some very small way to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel? These past days have been a preparation for what we begin, this Sunday, with the celebration of Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. Our Elect (those to be Baptized), our Candidates for Full Communion, have been spending these past five weeks in intense preparation for their entry into the Catholic Church. In the springtime of the year, the season of new life, how wonderful it will be to welcome these new people into our faith community. One of the ways we can welcome them is to be present at as many of the Holy Week Liturgies as possible.

These sacred mysteries of the coming week, the very apex of the Church’s liturgical year, must be celebrated as any major family event. As in any family event the voices of children begin to fill the air as the family gathers. And so does the Liturgy of Palm Sunday begin with the antiphon, “The children of Jerusalem welcome Christ the King. They carried olive branches and loudly praised the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.” How often we find ourselves acknowledging Jesus as our King, when there is happiness and excitement in our lives. How quickly though can our voices change when we like Jesus find ourselves carrying our cross. We are reminded of this when in the same liturgy the Passion Narrative of Jesus is read.

On Tuesday night all of the people of the archdiocese are invited to join with Archbishop Suchunrr, the priests and deacons at 7:00 pm in Saint Peter in Chains Cathedral for the celebration of the Chrism Mass. This is the Mass in which the Holy Oils for the coming year are blessed and consecrated. The oils are then distributed to the deans of the archdiocese. Our pastor, Father Wagner is the dean of Saint Martin Deanery. He receives the oils and then sees to it that they are given to every parish in our deanery.

Beginning with sunset on Thursday, March 18, Lent comes to an end as the holiest days of our Church year begins with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30 pm. On this night we recall Jesus giving himself to us forever in the Bread of Life and telling us to do this in memory of him by serving one another. During the Mass the priest, assisted by the deacons will wash the feet of twelve members of the parish. This might be something your whole family might want to volunteer to do. There is a sin-up sheet on the bulletin board in the vestibule of the church. The Mass ends with a procession with the Blessed Sacrament to a special chapel in the school library, where all can spend time in private prayer until 11:00 pm. We recall the words of Jesus to his disciples, “Can you not watch one hour with me?”

On Friday, March 19, we commemorate Jesus’ death on the cross as we gather for the Liturgy of the Word, petitions for the Church and the world, Veneration of the Cross and reception of Holy Communion. The Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion begins at 1:00 pm and is repeated again at 7:00 pm. This is the only day in the church year when we do not celebrate Mass. Following the Liturgy at 7:00 pm we will decorate the Church for Easter. All are welcome to come and help.

On Saturday, March 20 the only Mass celebrated is the Easter Vigil at 9:00 pm. This is the most important night of the entire church year. We gather outside in the front of the Church for the Blessing of the Easter Fire. We also bless the Easter Candle, which we will use at every Mass for the next 50 days until Pentecost, as well as at every Baptism and every Funeral in the next year. In addition there will be lots of readings, lots of signing, as well as baptisms and receiving people into the Church. This is followed by the new members of the Church and our parish receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and for the first time receiving the Holy Eucharist. It’s a big night. Come rested. Be prepared to be in church for a while, we are not going to rush or hurry through this. Many people have told me once they have experienced the Easter Vigil they come back every year.

I hope you will all be able to join us for these special days. Make them a priority on your schedule this week as our Lenten journey comes to an end. Let us, one and all, in Church, in our homes, and in our lives celebrate the greatest news our world has ever heard – Jesus Christ is Risen – Indeed He has truly risen.