Lent / Holy Week

We thank you.

We thank you, God, that you watch over us, that it is not blind fate which shapes our lives. Your concern is for each of us. You go with us on all our ways. You remain faithful to us, more than a father is attached to his firstborn, more than a mother who cannot forget the child of her womb. You know our names and you set the deepest in us free. In Jesus your faithful concern became visible. He is the man who lived for others. We believe that he is still alive and with us, your Son and our Lord, today and every day, for ever and ever.

Amen.

EMPOWER US

O God, who is here - in this place, now - in our midst; Empower us to praise you, not with words and actions which come from outside of us, but from within us; Dwell in us more fully that we may sing to you with all our being; Fill us with a sense of your joy, that we might actually delight in your worship; Focus us upon your self-giving Love, which is above every love we have ever known, the source of all. O God, who is here - in this place, now - in our midst; Make your love real here and now, through Jesus Christ.

Amen.

LENT:

Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting, is the first day of Lent in Western Christianity. It occurs 46 days (40 fasting days, if the six Sundays, which are not days of fast, are excluded) before Easter and can fall as early as February 4 or as late as March 10.

Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent is a season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days.

During Lent, Catholics and some Protestants prepare for Holy Week by fasting both from food and festivities, praying, giving and reconciling with the Lord.

Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday.

Triumphal entrance into Jerusalem. “On this day the Church celebrates Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem to accomplish his paschal mystery”.

Procession with palms. This is one of our most joyful and triumphant processions of the entire year. As we gather on this Sunday we receive a branch of palm or olive which the priest blesses by sprinkling Holy Water. We enter into Jerusalem with Christ. We enter into our holiest week. We enter into our final preparation for the Easter feast. Then one of the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem is proclaimed. (This is a special extra Gospel reading just for today.)

The Passion. The Gospel proclaimed on this day is one of the accounts of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew, Mark or Luke. In order to make the story more living and present, we have several readers: The priest speaks the words of Jesus, a second reader narrates, and a third reader proclaims the words of the other persons in the narrative.

Chrism Mass: At the Cathedral, on Tuesday or Wednesday, the Archbishop celebrates a special Mass in the presence of representative Priests or Deacons from each Parish. He blesses three special oils of 1. Chrism (Anointing) needed for the liturgy of Baptism and Confirmation. 2. Second oil: of the catechumens. 3. Third oil: for the anointing of the sick. The representative is given enough of each to take back to his parish to last till next year’s Chrism Mass. During this Mass, the Priests present renew their commitment to Holy Orders and the people are asked to pray for them.

The Easter Triduum

Holy Thursday

Washing of feet: In Parish churches where space permits, the liturgy starts with the celebrant imitating Jesus before the Last Supper and washing the feet of 12 parishioners.

The Mass begins with the tabernacle entirely empty. Why do you think? We receive Holy Communion this evening from the bread and wine consecrated at this Mass, not from a previous Mass.

The entire community is gathered at this one Eucharist, with all the priests, ministers and parishioners celebrating one Eucharist together. There is no other Mass celebrated in each community today. (Except with special dispensation where the community cannot fit in the church for just one Mass)

Passover context.

The first reading (Ex 12:1-8, 11-14) recounts the origins of the Passover meal. The Hebrew people in Egypt are saved by the blood of the lamb which causes the wrath of God to “pass over” the houses marked with its blood. The Psalm #116 sings about “Our blessing cup is a communion with the blood of Christ”. The second reading (1 Cor 11:23-26) contains the earliest written account of the Lord’s Supper. “I received from the Lord what I handed on to you, / that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, / took bread, and, after he had given thanks, / broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you.’”

The Great Commandment. We might expect the Gospel for this Mass of the Lord’s Supper to be one of the accounts of the institution of the Eucharist (Mt 26:26-29, Mk 14:22-25, Lk 22:14-20). Instead, the Church presents Jesus washing the feet of his disciples (Jn 13:1-15).

Following the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, after the faithful have been for Communion, no final blessing is given but the Eucharist which will be shared tomorrow during the liturgy of Good Friday is taken in procession to a tabernacle prepared for it, and the church is prepared for Good Friday. The altar is stripped, if possible, the crosses are removed from the church and those who want in the congregation kneel in adoration and private prayer. In some places the tradition is for people to meet in groups for prayer.

Good Friday

The liturgy of Good Friday is the most sober of the entire Church year—restrained and straightforward. The altar is bare, without cloths, candles or cross. There is no Mass: “according to the Church’s ancient tradition, the sacraments are not celebrated today or tomorrow” (Roman Missal). It is a day of fasting. There are no greetings, genuflections, opening songs, processions. We simply come and prostrate in humble submission before the Word and the glorious cross of Christ.

Readings. The first reading is from the book of the Prophet Isaiah (52:13—53:12). The mystery of the glorious cross is immediately placed before us. Psalm #31: “Father I put my life in your hands”. The second reading is from Hebrews (4:14-16; 5:7-9) showing us Christ’s submission to the will of the Father.

John’s Passion. The Gospel is the proclamation of the Passion according to John. Today it is also read in parts.

Intercessions. Following the proclamation of the Passion we join in the Church’s most solemn form of the General Intercessions.

Wood of victory. The third part of the Good Friday liturgy is unique to this day. A large cross is brought forward. It is unveiled and presented to us. We approach the wood of the cross, the instrument of torture, cruelty and death, and we reverence it with a touch or a kiss.

The Good Friday rites conclude with a simple Communion service with the Eucharist from Holy Thursday’s liturgy. Holy Saturday is a day of quiet waiting and preparation for the Easter Vigil.

In some Parishes, those in the Sanctuary adore the Cross before Communion while the rest of the congregation does so afterwards.

Easter Vigil

Service of light. As the natural light of day fades away, we turn our attention to the light that is Christ. We gather around a fire and we think of Christ, the light of God’s glory. And from this special fire, we light our candle. As the light of this paschal candle enters the church, its light spreads to the candles held by each member of the worshiping community. To the phrase “Christ our Light” we answer “Thanks be to God”.

Easter proclamation (Exsultet) is sung usually by the Deacon.

Salvation history. Mention the stories that are narrated during the Jewish Seder meal and the parallels with our Mass. In Jesus’ light we keep watch. And as we wait around this special fire—the paschal candle— we tell our story through 4 or 7 Old Testament readings and alternating Psalms: Creation, Abraham’s sacrifice, our passing through the Red Sea. We will be meditating over these readings during our Good Friday retreat.

Our joy and anticipation grow and we sing, “Glory to God in the highest” (a hymn we have not used since Lent began).

Solemn Alleluia is sung in the form of a responsorial.

Gospel reading today is a short one about the EMPTY TOMB.

Liturgical Colors for Triduum

On Holy Thursday for the Mass of the Lord's Supper, white is used to signify the joyful events this liturgy recalls.

Red for the Good Friday liturgy signifies the passion and death of Jesus.

For the Easter Vigil, white signifies the joy of Christ's resurrection. Gold may also be used since this is the most important and joyous celebration of the liturgical year.

Symbols for the Easter Triduum

Bread and the cup of wine recall the institution of the Eucharist by Our Lord at the Last Supper.

The cross recalls the crucifixion and death of Jesus on Good Friday.

The Paschal Candle and water represent the light and new life of Christ's resurrection and of our baptism.

Sacraments of Initiation:

Litany of the Saints is sung.

Blessing of the Water in the font.

Renunciation of Sin. The Church turns to its members and asks: “Do you reject sin? Do you believe? Do you wish to renew your Baptism?” The answers to these questions are two simple words: “I do.” In this “I do” we renew all that this holy night promises.

Profession of Faith.

Baptism. The catechumens now come forward and enter the waters of Baptism and rise from the tomb of the baptismal font to Easter life with the risen Christ.

Anointing.

Clothing with baptismal garment.

Presentation of lighted candle.

Confirmation laying of hands. Then those seeking full communion are Confirmed together with the newly baptized.

Anointing.

Liturgy of the Eucharist as usual but with the Neophytes and families coming up first for communion preferably with reception in both species. The Eucharist is the Food and Drink that take the sting out of death and assures eternal victory.

The Mass ends like usual but with ‘Alleluia, Alleluia’ added to the last response.

PS: After the Liturgy ends, there will be time for family and group photos with the Pastor and Catechists in the Sanctuary. After that will be a simple reception downstairs and time for comments and exchange of compliments.

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Triumphal entrance into Jerusalem.

Procession with palms.

The Passion.

Chrism Mass

THE EASTER TRIDUUM

Holy Thursday

Passover context.

The Great Commandment.

Washing of feet

No final blessing

Procession to Altar of repose

Good Friday

There is no Mass

John’s Passion

Intercessions.

Wood of victory

Communion service

Easter Vigil

Service of light.

Easter proclamation (Exsultet)

Salvation history

“Glory to God in the highest”

Solemn Alleluia

Gospel reading - EMPTY TOMB.

SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION

Litany of the Saints

Blessing of the Water in the font.

Renunciation of Sin

Profession of Faith

Baptism

Anointing

Clothing with baptismal garment

Presentation of lighted candle

Confirmation

Anointing

Liturgy of the Eucharist (Rest of Mass)

Solemn sending

Ideas how to celebrate Lent:

Focus on Your Spirituality:

1. Decide on your lenten sacrifice

2. Include something special in your lenten routine.

3. Attend Mass more often.

4. Go to reconciliation.

5. Spend time on devotions.

6. Take time for self examination and reflection.

Take part in lenten traditions:

1. Fast and abstain.

2. Take on something positive.

3. Have a seder meal.

4. Promote an almsgiving project.

Lent at home:

1. Add purple ornaments.

2. Make a lenten calendar.

3. Eat lenten foods.

4. Have a weekly sacrifice meal.

5. Acquire a crucifix and meditate Christ’s suffering.

Meditating about others:

Consider your situation as regards the following and compare it with the situation of people in third world countries.

Food; Water; Land; Air; Power; Transport:

What can you do about it?