Holy Week Schedule of Services .
In this most holy week of the Church year, we recall the events leading up to Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection. This recollection is not only about the historical events of our Incarnate Lord’s earthly life. It is anamnesis – a recalling that makes these events present in our hearts now. We participate with Christ in His giving of His Body and Blood in the Eucharist, His betrayal, Crucifixion, and His Resurrection.
We begin holy week on Palm Sunday, April 5. After Matins, weather permitting, we will go outside for the blessing and distribution of palms, the reading of the first Palm Sunday story [Matt. 21:1-9], and a procession around the church singing the hymn “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” and the Christus Vincit. At the Mass, we will hear the Passion Gospel of St. Matthew sung as we recall the events of that day when Christ was led into Jerusalem on a donkey and the people hailed Him: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
On Monday and Tuesday of Holy Week, April 6 and 7, the Passion Gospels of Mark and Luke will be sung. The Unction Mass, during which the oils of catechumens and the sick will be blessed, occurs on Wednesday of Holy Week. Each service will be followed by a Lenten pot-luck supper.
At the Maundy Thursday service, we celebrate Christ’s institution of the Eucharist and we recount his humility in washing the disciples’ feet. At the end of the Mass, the Blessed Sacrament will be carried in procession to the Altar of Repose for veneration and, returning to the chapel, the main altar will be stripped in remembrance of Christ being stripped of His garments by the soldiers. After a silent pot-luck meal, the service of Tenebrae will be held for those who can remain.
The Good Friday liturgy on April 10 begins at noon. At this service, we hear the Passion Gospel of St. John, we pray for the Church in the Solemn Collects, and the cross is brought forward for veneration while the ancient Reproaches are sung by the choir. The Sacrament consecrated the previous evening is brought from the altar of repose for the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy and we depart in silence.
The Paschal Vigil on Saturday, April 11, will begin outside with the blessing of new fire and lighting of the Paschal candle. Our candles are lit from this candle as we enter the church, we hear the singing of the ancient chant, Exultet and readings from the Old Testament which tell the story of our salvation. The Litany of the Saints is sung, water for the font is blessed, baptism and chrismations will take place, and we hear the first proclamation of the joyful news: Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen! At the first Mass of Easter, we hear the wonderful Paschal sermon of St. John Chrysostom, Lauds is sung following the Mass, and we end with a bountiful Paschal feast. On Easter Day, Mass will be at 11:00am.
Read the full April newsletter here.