With our celebration today of Palm/Passion Sunday, we begin our annual reflection on the Paschal Mystery. Lent officially ends with the beginning of the Triduum. I encourage you to join us at each of the three days of the Triduum:
Holy Thursday Mass at 7:00 pm: Early in the day, Jesus gave instructions to his disciples on how to prepare for their celebration of the Passover. Throughout the day they made these preparations. In the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, we place ourselves in the upper room with Jesus and the apostles and do what they did. Through the ritual of washing the feet of parishioners, we unite in Jesus’ call to serve one another. Through our celebration of this very first Mass, we unite ourselves to Jesus by receiving his Body and Blood. Afterwards, like Jesus and his disciples, we make the short journey across the Kidron Valley to the Garden of Gethsemane, where he asked them to pray. Following the Mass, we process with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament to a garden (the altar of repose) that has been prepared in the Parish Center. It is an ancient custom to spend an hour before the reposed Eucharist on this night. The chapel is open until midnight.
Good Friday Stations of the Cross at noon, Services at both 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm, (7:00 pm has the Passion sung): After Jesus’ arrest in the Garden, Jesus is locked in the prison of the high priest’s house. Early in the morning Jesus was brought before Pilate, who transferred the case to Herod. Herod promptly sent Jesus back to Pilate. Sometime in the middle of the morning, Pilate bowed to the pressure of the Temple leadership and the crowds, condemning Jesus to a horrible death by crucifixion. Late in the morning, Jesus was taken by soldiers through the city and up to Golgotha. By noon, he had been nailed to the cross, where he hung in agony for three hours. Jesus died at approximately three o’clock in the afternoon. He was taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb before sundown. Today is a day of prayer, fasting, and abstinence. To the extent possible, Christians are urged to keep the day free of work, social engagements, and entertainment, devoting themselves to communal prayer and worship.
Holy Saturday Vigil at 8:00 pm: Although the body of Jesus was in the tomb, his soul is among the dead, announcing the Kingdom. Meanwhile, the disciples, heartbroken at the death of Jesus, observed the Jewish Sabbath in sorrow. They had forgotten Jesus’ promise that he would rise. We, however, cannot forget the promise. Tonight, after sundown, we gather for the great Easter Vigil, where we experience Jesus’ rising from the dead. We gather in darkness outside and begin by lighting the Easter fire. Then we enter the church and listen to Bible stories that describe God’s saving work of the past. Suddenly, the church lights are turned on and the Gloria is sung, as we celebrate the moment of Christ’s resurrection. He lives! In the joy of the resurrection, we then celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist for our catechumens and candidates, who have prepared for many weeks for this night. More than twenty will be baptized and another fifteen will make a profession of faith and be confirmed. Quite the event for our small parish!
Easter Sunday Masses at 9:00 am and 11:00 am: Like the apostles we gather with each other to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. Then, throughout the day, joy-filled Christians will gather in homes with family and friends to share food and drink and remember all that Jesus did for them.
Please, join us as we enter into this great mystery.
Peace,
Fr. Damian