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The Holy Week Liturgy
A description of the rites and ceremonies of the most important week in the Church Year
Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday Mass begins with the reading of the Gospel: the story of the first Palm Sunday. This usually takes place away from the Church: in a hall, outside, or possibly at the door of the Church. The people have Palm leaves (usually in the shape of a cross) which are blessed by the priest. Then, everyone joins in a procession into the Church, where the Mass begins with the Opening Prayer (the first part of the Mass is left out). | The Mass continues as
normal, but in the place of the Gospel is the reading of
the Passion, the whole story of Jesus' death from one of
the Gospels.
Members of the congregation usually take part in the
reading as Narrator and other characters.
The Priest takes the part of Christ. |
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
There are no special ceremonies for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week, but there are special readings at Mass.
The Chrism Mass
The Chrism Mass usually takes place in Holy Week, and if possible on Maundy Thursday. At the Mass all the priests of the area celebrate mass with the Bishop and renew their commitment to their priesthood, by answering questions (together and out loud) which the Bishop puts to them. The Bishop blesses the Holy Oils during this Mass. They are the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens and the Oil of Chrism.
The Easter Triduum
'Easter Triduum' or 'Paschal Triduum' is the name given to the
time from Evening on Maundy Thursday to the Morning of Easter
Day. In this time there are three important ceremonies: the Mass
of the Lord's Supper (Thursday), the Liturgy of the Passion
(Friday) and the Easter Vigil Mass (Saturday/Sunday). These three
services are really one long service. The very first Christians
only had the one service to celebrate the death and resurrection
of Jesus, and that was during the night of Saturday-Sunday.
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday is a day of waiting and silence. There are no
special services on this day.
The Easter Vigil
The Easter Vigil is the most important service of the whole Christian Year. This service takes place during the night when Jesus rose: that is from darkness on Saturday evening to before dawn on Sunday morning. This service has four parts.
1
The service begins with the blessing of New Fire. This takes place outside the Church, or in the Church entrance. The Paschal Candle is lit from the fire. The candle is carried in procession through the Church. The priest stops three times and says or sings 'Christ our Lord'. Everyone replies 'Thanks be to God'. The people carry smaller candles which are lit as the procession gets to the altar. Then a special chant, called the Easter Proclamation or Exsultet is sung. The Exsultet describes the night of the Easter Vigil as a night when Christ conquers evil and darkness through his death and resurrection.
2
Next, there is a Vigil of Readings, which ends with the reading of the Gospel telling the story of the Resurrection.
3
There may be the baptism and confirmation of adults who have been attending groups and classes to prepare for this special day. Even if there are no people to become members of the Church, the priest blesses the water which will be used in baptisms, and everyone renews the promises of their baptism.
4
After the Baptism liturgy, the Easter Vigil concludes with the Mass. There should be real joy because Lent is over, and the Church is now celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
Easter Day
On Easter Day the Mass is specially joyful. There is no Creed (We believe in one God), but instead everyone renews the promises of their baptism.
General Information
There is a good section on Holy Week in Time to Live, which you can find in Rooms 10 & 11.
The complete text of Mark's Gospel
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