Holy Week marks the fact that we draw close to Easter. Holy Week marks the start of the celebration, or much rather, memorial, of Christ's passion, and journey into Jerusalem for our Salvation. On Palm Sunday, we begin by heralding the way Jesus entered into Jerusalem, "meek and riding on a donkey", as we are told in scriptures. And just as he was brought forth into Jerusalem with the crowds rejoicing, carrying palms, proclaiming: "Hosanna to the Son of David", we too rejoice, singing, and carrying palms. At the mass as well, we also read the Passion Gospel, following along the way of Christ's passion, from the events of entering Jerusalem, to Holy Thursday, with the washing of Feet and the Last Supper, to the arrest of Christ, his trial, and finally his journey to Calvary, and his Crucifixion.
From Palm Sunday, we go to Holy Thursday. Holy Thursday is the first part of the Triduum, which is the three days leading up to Easter Sunday. Holy Thursday is mostly centered around on special service. On Holy Thursday, though in most dioceses this is moved to an earlier date, there is, at the Cathedral of the Diocese, held by the Bishop, the Chrism mass. At the Chrism mass, the three oils used for different sacrements, the Oil of the Cathecumens, the Oil of the Sick, and the Sacred Chrism Oil, are blessed by the bishop. Within our Diocese, the Chrism mass is/was held today, and unfortunately, I was not able to attend, so I cannot say much for this service. But know, that it is a very important part of the church life. These oils are then distributed to each of the parishes within the diocese. However, the principle celebration of the day is held at night, and that is the Mass of the Lord's Supper. The mass of the Lord's Supper, is very similiar to other masses, at least, it starts the same. Following the homily, just as Christ did on the Last Supper, the celebrant of the mass, washes the feet of twelve members of the congregation. As the scriptures recount, at the Last Supper, Christ washed the feet of the twelve apostles, and commanded them to do the same. Following this, the mass continues as normal, with the celebration of the Eucharist. But it does not end as it usually does, rather it ends with the transfer of the Blessed Sacrement to a Side Altar, for repose and prayer until about midnight at most parishes. The Eucharist, is not placed in the regular tabernacle of the parish, from Holy Thursday until the Easter Vigil.
Which brings us to the day after, which is Good Friday. On Good Friday, the church lays bare. The Tabernacle is empty, and the altar lay empty. The Church is bare of any decoration. There is one service held that day. It is important to note, that this is not a mass. The service begins with the priest and deacons laying prostrate before the altar, while all others kneel. This is all in silence. No music, no nothing. From this, a prayer is read, and two readings proclaimed, before, again the passion gospel is read. This tells of the same story as Palm Sunday, bringing us through the events of the Passion of Our Lord. Following this, the solemn intercessions are read. These are special intercessions that are only used on Good Friday. After this, is veneration of the cross. A Cross or Crucifix is placed before the congregation, which they reverence. From this, hosts from the previous mass are then given to the people, and before this the Our Father is prayed.
From this, we go to Holy Saturday. Usually, in the morning, Easter Basket Blessings are held. The tabernacle remains empty, until the Vigil Mass. The Easter Vigil, was long a day of fasting and prayer, especially for those who would recieve Baptism that night. From the early church, we keep the practice that new members of the church, are to be received on the Easter Vigil. The Easter Vigil remains the principle and most important of all the vigils. The mass begins outside, with the blessing of a new fire, and the blessing of the Paschal Candle. The Candle is then brought in, while the deacon proclaims: "The Light of Christ". This light is reminiscent not only of Christ, but also of the Pillar leading Moses and the Isrealites. After the candle is brought into the church, the Exultet is read. This story sets off the mood for the night, telling the story of Salvation. The readings, which there are a couple of, altough most parishes shorten the number, tell the story of Salvation History. During this time, before the Epistle, the Gloria is intoned, and in between each of the readings a prayer is said by the priest, and during the Gloria, the candles of the church are lit. After the Epistle, the Alleluia is intoned, very solemnly, after it was not used during the enirety of Lent. Following the homily, after the gospel, the rites of initiation take place, Baptism and Confirmation, for all the adults wishing to receive initation into the church. The sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation are celebrated, after this it is mostly, mass usual, and these newly Baptized and Confirmed, will also recieve the Eucharist for the first time.
These three services, making up the Triduum, are a beautiful part of our faith, and I invite you to go to these services, if at all possible.
After this is Easter. And we enter into 50 days of this season, which we will take a look at on next Monday, which is Easter Monday.
I wish you all a blessed Holy Week!
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