Beloved in Christ,
Walk With Jesus Through His Passion
“Jesus proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem” (Lk 19:28), where he will cry out to his Father, “into your hands I commend my spirit” (Lk 23: 46). Those verses from the Gospel contain the mysteries of faith we commemorate during Holy Week, beginning with Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. In readings on Christ’s passion and other liturgical rites, we will accompany Jesus on his journey, share in his suffering, and celebrate his resurrection. We must walk closely with Jesus as the paschal mystery unfolds in the days of the Holy Week, especially during the Sacred Triduum.
On Palm Sunday, carrying palm branches in liturgical procession, we journey with Jesus as he goes up to Jerusalem to accomplish his paschal mystery. The bishop anticipates the Chrism Mass usually celebrated on Holy Thursday on Monday. All diocese priests and Catholics across the diocese will be at that Mass of the Oils. The passion of the Lord, in words and actions, dominates the days ahead, especially during the Triduum. On Holy Thursday, we will celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper beginning at 7 PM. The mass will include the symbolic washing of feet and concludes with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until late in the evening. On Good Friday, we will have a solemn celebration of the Lord’s passion which includes the proclamation of the Lord’s passion and the veneration of the Cross. Make sure you attend the Living Stations of the Cross by our Youth group at 8 PM. On Holy Saturday, we continue to observe the paschal fast, which “should be observed everywhere on Good Friday and continued, where possible, on Holy Thursday. In this way, the people of God will receive the joy of the Lord’s resurrection with uplifted and responsive hearts” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 110). We should not forget to bring your Easter food to the historic church for the blessing of the first meal of Easter at noon. The Sacred Paschal mystery reaches its zenith at the celebration of the Easter vigil from 8 PM. Inclusive in the mass of the vigil this year is the celebration of Luceranium, Liturgies of the Word, baptism, and confirmation of our Elect, Sadie Fleming, reception of candidates into full communion with the Catholic church, and Eucharist. It is the mother of all vigils and destined to be the most solemn and glorious of all liturgies. Everyone should try to attend if they can. The Triduum comes to a conclusion on Easter Sunday after evening prayers. We shall renew our baptismal vows at masses on Easter Sunday.
I appeal to you to participate fully in person in the Holy Week liturgies, especially those that fall during the Holy Triduum. Please mark your calendar and prayerfully participate in the commemoration of the passion of Christ and the celebration of his resurrection. These days are the most sacred and solemn of our Catholic holy days.
In His Passion,
Fr. Bernard, OP
Walk With Jesus Through His Passion
“Jesus proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem” (Lk 19:28), where he will cry out to his Father, “into your hands I commend my spirit” (Lk 23: 46). Those verses from the Gospel contain the mysteries of faith we commemorate during Holy Week, beginning with Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. In readings on Christ’s passion and other liturgical rites, we will accompany Jesus on his journey, share in his suffering, and celebrate his resurrection. We must walk closely with Jesus as the paschal mystery unfolds in the days of the Holy Week, especially during the Sacred Triduum.
On Palm Sunday, carrying palm branches in liturgical procession, we journey with Jesus as he goes up to Jerusalem to accomplish his paschal mystery. The bishop anticipates the Chrism Mass usually celebrated on Holy Thursday on Monday. All diocese priests and Catholics across the diocese will be at that Mass of the Oils. The passion of the Lord, in words and actions, dominates the days ahead, especially during the Triduum. On Holy Thursday, we will celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper beginning at 7 PM. The mass will include the symbolic washing of feet and concludes with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until late in the evening. On Good Friday, we will have a solemn celebration of the Lord’s passion which includes the proclamation of the Lord’s passion and the veneration of the Cross. Make sure you attend the Living Stations of the Cross by our Youth group at 8 PM. On Holy Saturday, we continue to observe the paschal fast, which “should be observed everywhere on Good Friday and continued, where possible, on Holy Thursday. In this way, the people of God will receive the joy of the Lord’s resurrection with uplifted and responsive hearts” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 110). We should not forget to bring your Easter food to the historic church for the blessing of the first meal of Easter at noon. The Sacred Paschal mystery reaches its zenith at the celebration of the Easter vigil from 8 PM. Inclusive in the mass of the vigil this year is the celebration of Luceranium, Liturgies of the Word, baptism, and confirmation of our Elect, Sadie Fleming, reception of candidates into full communion with the Catholic church, and Eucharist. It is the mother of all vigils and destined to be the most solemn and glorious of all liturgies. Everyone should try to attend if they can. The Triduum comes to a conclusion on Easter Sunday after evening prayers. We shall renew our baptismal vows at masses on Easter Sunday.
I appeal to you to participate fully in person in the Holy Week liturgies, especially those that fall during the Holy Triduum. Please mark your calendar and prayerfully participate in the commemoration of the passion of Christ and the celebration of his resurrection. These days are the most sacred and solemn of our Catholic holy days.
In His Passion,
Fr. Bernard, OP
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