The liturgies of Holy Week have the potential to plunge the faithful who participate in them into the central mystery of our faith, the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. God is present to us during liturgical worship, and when we worship, we can be present to God. The saving events in the life of Jesus Christ remembered during Holy Week make this week different from all other weeks of the year. Those who are able should participate in the liturgies in their parish. It may not be possible to attend each one, but there should be an attempt to attend as your schedule permits.
I so admired the Jewish community on the Lower East Side of Manhattan where I was pastor. On their “high holy days,” families, dressed impeccably in fitting tribute to God would attend the local synagogues together for the services. It was inspiring to see families going to the synagogues. It would be so great to see Catholic families together at their parish church for Holy Week.
PALM SUNDAY begins Holy Week with the remembrance of the triumphant entrance of the Lord Jesus into Jerusalem riding on a donkey as the crowds hailed Him with acclamations. “Hosanna to the Son of David.” On Palm Sunday, like those who witnessed the Lord resolutely enter Jerusalem, we praise God who has given us our Savior who intentionally entered Jerusalem to accomplish the Paschal Mystery for us. The Palm Sunday Procession in imitation of the entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem, celebrates the determination of God to save humanity from sin. At the conclusion of Mass, we take palm branches as a reminder that we are a people whom God has saved by the Death and Resurrection of the Lord. By faith, we walk with Christ, who goes into Jerusalem to do battle for us. Right now, this Palm Sunday, this Holy Week, we accompany Him. “All glory, laud and honor to our Redeemer King.”
THE CHRISM MASS is offered on Tuesday of Holy Week in our Diocese. The priests of the Diocese join with me in concelebrating. During the Mass, the priests renew their promises of Ordination and the oils used for the Sacraments are prepared. The Oil of the Sick and Dying and the Oil of the Catechumens are blessed. The bishop consecrates the Holy Chrism, and the priests join him in that consecratory prayer. The Chrism is used in Baptism, Confirmation and the Ordination of Priests and Bishops. Deacons, priests and bishops in their sacramental ministries use these Holy Oils. They are the “stuff” or material through which the Lord acts and is present in the Sacraments.
The SACRED TRIDUUM, a three-day liturgy, takes place on HOLY THURSDAY, GOOD FRIDAY AND THE EASTER VIGIL. Three days that celebrate the Paschal Mystery of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It begins with The MASS OF THE SUPPER OF THE LORD on Holy Thursday. We remember what Jesus did at the Last Supper. The gift of the Holy Eucharist, which the Lord gave on the night before He died. He gave Himself, His Body and Blood, His real presence as an everlasting covenant, and He gave an example to His followers, to us, by washing the feet of His disciples. Holy Thursday concludes with a procession, which carries the Blessed Sacrament to a Repository for Adoration.
GOOD FRIDAY celebrates the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ on the Cross. This is not a Mass. The ancient prophecies from the Jewish Bible that refer to a suffering servant Savior are proclaimed, as is the Passion according to Saint John. The assembled faithful adore the Wood of the Cross – the cherished sign of salvation and Holy Communion is received. On this day, we pause at the suffering and Death of the Lord on the Cross and His burial in the tomb.
HOLY SATURDAY is a day of silent waiting and accompanying the Lord, who lies in death. Mass is not offered until the EASTER VIGIL, which begins after sundown in the darkness.
The Easter fire is lit; from its flame, a Paschal Candle is kindled. Scriptures from the Jewish Bible are proclaimed as is the Gospel account of the first Easter. Catechumens are fully initiated into Christ and His Church through the Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist; the renewal of the Baptism promises for all is celebrated. Candidates complete their reception of the Sacraments, and the Holy Eucharist is offered. This most holy night remembers that Christ rose to life after His Death and burial and that He shares with us His victory of passing over death to life. This is the night when the song of that victory of Christ over sin, ALLELUIA, is sung after a 40-day pause. It should joyfully ring out with the greatest of gusto by those present.
May your participation in the powerful liturgies of Holy Week draw you into deeper union with the Lord, who gave His life for us, so that we might share in the glory of His divine life. Let the worship of God that takes place at each Holy Week celebration intimately connect you to the Lord. Holy Week offers immense opportunities for grace and can be an intense spiritual experience for the faithful.
Have a blessed Holy Week.
Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan, D.D.
Bishop of Camden