THE LITURGIES OF HOLY WEEK
The paschal fast of Good Friday begins after the Mass of the Lords
M THE SUNDAY OF THE PASSION: PALM SUNDAY
The liturgy on Palm Sunday opens with the blessing of the palms.
We gather in a place other than the church for this rite. We hear
the account of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem and bless palm
branches which we then carry in procession singing our own
hosanna as well as All glory, praise and honour. Just as the
Scriptures says that children participated in the celebration, our
children join us for this joyful procession before going to their own
liturgy of the word.
In the Liturgy of the Word, the focus then shifts to the Passion
of our Lord. Passion is a word we often hear in todays jargon when
people speak of the things important to them. Passionate love
involves sacrifice. Those causes we are truly passionate about are
so important to us that we are willing to sacrifice ourselves to
achieve them. In his letter to the Philippians, we hear Pauls hymn
of how Christ has emptied himself to become human, and how
he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of
death--even death on a cross. We then hear the gospel account of
Jesus suffering and death. The Good News today is that God cared
so passionately for us that, in the person of Jesus Christ, God
became fully human, even suffering degradation and death at the
hands of a broken world.
As Christians we live out the passion in the celebration of the
Eucharist.
M THE CHRISM MASS Tuesday of Holy Week - 7:30 pm
ST. MARYS CATHEDRAL, KINGSTON
In this celebration people from every parish of the diocese gather at
the diocesan church in Holy Week with the Priests and the
Archbishop to bless the three oils that are used in the Sacraments of
the church. These are the oils for catechumens, the sick and the
Sacred Chrism. Two of these oils (Oil of Catechumens and Sacred
Chrism) are used for the initiation of adults and infants at the Easter
Vigil. Representatives from each parish receive the Holy Oils from
the Archbishop and present them to the Parish at the Holy Thursday
Mass.
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THE EASTER TRIDUUM
THE HOLY THREE DAYS
Day 1 - The Passion of the Lord
Holy Thursday evening to Good Friday evening
M THE EVENING MASS OF THE LORDS SUPPER
HOLY THURSDAY
The Passion of the Lord begins on Holy Thursday evening in the
stories of the last night Jesus spent with his friends. In the opening
rite, the Oils blessed by the Archbishop at the Chrism Mass are
carried in procession and are presented to the community. In
response we sing Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. Then
during the singing of the Glory to God, the Oils are placed by the
baptismal font, ready for the baptisms and confirmations of the
Easter Vigil.
In the Old Testament reading we are reminded that the events of
the Triduum occured within the context of the Jewish Passover.
Jesus and his disciples had journeyed to Jerusalem in order to
celebrate the Passover. In his letter to the Corinthian church, Paul
gives an account of the supper during which our Lord instituted the
Eucharist as he said, Do this in remembrance of me.
An important element of this evening is the washing of feet.
When supper had ended, Jesus took water in a basin and a towel and
began to wash his disciples feet. He then commanded his disciples
to follow his example by giving such loving service to others. On
this night we act out our intention of carrying out Jesus command
by participating in the foot washing. We are invited to have our feet
washed and to watch the feet of others being washed while all sing.
The music of this night speaks of love and service.
Following the celebration of the Eucharist, we move in
procession to the Blessed Sacrament chapel. The holy Eucharist is
carried solemnly to the place of reservation.
Participating in the Holy Thursday liturgy prepares us for the
events of the next days.
M THE NIGHT WATCH
Holy Thursday
Upon the conclusion of the Eucharist on Holy Thursday, the Blessed
Sacrament is reserved in a Chapel. There parishioners keep a watch
through the night. A sign-up sheet is usually posted for volunteers.
The custom of spending some time with our Lord on this night arose
from the desire to give an affirmative answer to Jesus question,
Could you not watch with me one brief hour?
The church will be open for private prayer.
M THE PASCHAL FAST
Supper, is observed everywhere on Good Friday, and continued,
where possible on Holy Saturday until the Mass of the Easter Vigil.
This fast is not part of the Lenten fast, but it is a preparation for the
great feasting of the Easter Vigil.
In this way, the people of God will receive the joys of the Lords
resurrection with uplifted and responsive hearts (CSL no. 110).
M STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Good Friday
This method of observing Good Friday is often called The Way of
the Cross, for it traces Jesus path as he carries his cross to
Golgotha. Along the way, certain stops (or stations) are made to
remember specific moments in the journey. There are not only
words to hear, but hymns to be sung as the group moves along the
way. This way of observing Good Friday has become popular
among families with young children.
Throughout the Good Friday the church is open for private prayer.
M THE LITURGY OF THE LORDS PASSION
GOOD FRIDAY
The main liturgy of this day is extremely simple. The focus is on the
Cross. All other decorations have been removed from the church.
There is less singing or music. The liturgy consists of readings,
including the Passion from Johns Gospel, and solemn prayers of
intercession for the church and the world. The central liturgical
action is the veneration of the cross by all present. We venerate the
one Cross in a variety of ways: by a genuflection or bow, by kissing
or touching the cross, by a simple pause. The Eucharist is not
celebrated on this day, but Communion is made through the
Eucharist reserved from the Holy Thursday liturgy.
Day 2 - The Entombment of the Lord
GOOD FRIDAY EVENING TO HOLY SATURDAY EVENING
On Holy Saturday the Church waits at the tomb of Jesus, meditating
on his suffering and death and looking forward to the holy night of
the Easter Vigil. This day is characterized by fasting, waiting, and
alertness in prayer. By this means the community assembles for the
Vigil to begin the Easter celebrations with a heightened sense of
expectation and joy.
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< THE PASCHAL FAST, which was observed by all on Good Friday,
should be continued throughout this day, leading to the
celebration of the great Easter Vigil.
< PREPARATION FOR INITIATION: For the elect this is a day of retreat
in final preparation for the sacraments of initiation. When it is
possible, they come together with some of the faithful for
reflection and prayer and to celebrate some or all of the
preparation rites. If infants will be baptized at the Vigil rather
than at the Easter Sunday Masses, the rite of reception, the prayer
of exorcism and the anointing with the oil of catechumens take
place with the children, their parents and sponsors.
< LITURGY OF HOURS: Morning Prayer is celebrated on
Saturday morning.
Day 3 - The Resurrection of the Lord
HOLY SATURDAY EVENING TO SUNDAY EVENING
M THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER
HOLY SATURDAY EVENING
This First Mass of Easter or the Great Easter Vigil is the most
distinctive liturgy of the Christian year. In several very special ways
we celebrate our life in the risen Christ this night. In the expanded
readings, we recount the history of Gods saving actions in the lives
of Gods people. In the sacrament of Baptism, we renew our own
baptismal vows as we add new members to the Body of Christ. In
the Eucharist, we celebrate our membership in the fellowship of the
Church, the continuing Body of the Risen Christ.
The Great Vigil begins in darkness and in silence. A new fire is
kindled and a new Paschal Candle, is inscribed and lit as a symbol
of Christ, the light of the world. As all process into the church
toward the altar, while the light of Christ is shared with all the
participants, who each hold a candle. Then the words of the Exsultet
or Easter Proclamation ring out that This is the night of the Lords
passover from death to new life.
We then listen to readings and sing psalms about Gods
wonderful intentions for us. The primary reading is the account of
Israels deliverance through the Red Sea. The central place of this
reading reminds us that Easter is Pascha, the celebration of the
passage from death into life. Just as the Children of Israel were
saved from slavery and death by their safe passage through the sea,
we are brought to new life in Christ through the waters of Baptism
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by the power of the Holy Spirit.
So it is that on this night the church has, since her very early days,
baptized new Christians. Easter is the primary festival for Baptisms.
Jesus death and resurrection are symbolized by the baptismal
candidates passage to new life in Christ. It is fitting, also, that at this
time following Lenten preparation all members renew their
baptismal vows.
After the Baptisms and Confirmation, the whole assembly moves
to the Altar. As the Altar is vested in its finest array, and flowers
bedeck it, we all sing. The alleluia which had been given up for
Lent returns to our songs as we join in a festive celebration of the
Eucharist.
Note to parents: The later hour of this liturgy may make it
impractical for our youngest children, but those in grade school can
find it quite exciting. Beginning in the dark and participating in the
candle lighting is an exciting aspect of this liturgy to the child in
each of us. The celebration of Baptism gives many parents the
opportunity to tell those who were baptized as infants stories about THE LITURGIES OF
their own Baptism. The dramatic raising of the lights following the
Easter greeting and the festive music all add to the occasions
appeal to the younger set as well as to their parents. HOLY WEEK
M EASTER SUNDAY
Celebration of the Eucharist on Easter Morning include music and and
the renewal of baptismal vows.
THE FIFTY DAYS THE EASTER TRIDUUM
EASTER - PENTECOST SEASON
Our Easter celebration only begins with the Great Vigil and Easter
Sunday. Easter, the Queen of Feasts, lasts for 50 days, concluding
with the baptismal feast of Pentecost (or fiftieth day). The
celebrations throughout the Great Fifty Days continue the festival
of Easter with Easter flowers, hymns, and alleluias.
Throughout the Fifty Days the Church continues to celebrate the
Sacraments of Initiation with the celebration of Confirmation and
First Communion.