A description of the rites and ceremonies of the most important week in the Church Year
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.
Maundy Thursday
On Maundy Thursday Evening the Church remembers the Last Supper, the Passover Meal which Jesus shared with his disciples. This is a joyful Mass: the priest wears white vestments, and the hymn 'Glory to God in the highest' is sung (it is usually left out in Lent). Readings and prayers recall that this is the day when Jesus gave the Eucharist to the Church. Also at this Mass, the priest washes the feet of twelve men from the congregation, recalling when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples (according to John's Gospel).
At the end of Mass, some of the consecrated bread is taken in a procession to a special altar which is decorated with flowers. This recalls Jesus going to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. People stop and pray before the Altar in a Watch of Prayer, which can continue till midnight.
Good Friday
After the Mass on Thursday evening, the altars are stripped so that the area round the altar looks very bare on Good Friday.
Mass is not celebrated on Good Friday or Holy Saturday, as a sign that Jesus died.
The main service of Good Friday is the Liturgy of the Passion, which usually takes place at 2pm, but can be at another time.
The Service is in four parts.
1
Firstly, there are the readings. The Gospel is the reading of the Passion of John.
2
After the Passion reading and a homily, there are special prayers, called the General Intercessions.
3
Next is the Veneration of the Cross. A cross is carried to the front of the church. Three times the priest stops and says 'This is the wood of the cross, on which hung the Saviour of the world' and everyone replies 'Come, let us worship'. Then people come forward to kneel in front of the cross and kiss it.
4
The Blessed Sacrament is brought to the altar and everyone comes forward to take communion. There is a simple prayer, then silence as the people leave.
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday is a day of waiting and silence. There are no special services on this day.
The Easter Vigil
The Paschal or Easter Candle
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.