This week we enter into the holiest week of the year for Christians. From Palm Sunday to the events of Holy Thursday and Good Friday, and Vigiling in the night until the Resurrection on Easter Sunday, we walk with Christ. Below are details for each day of Holy Week.
Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week, which commences with the blessing of palms and the reading of the Gospel in a place other than the sanctuary. A procession into church follows, in imitation of the triumphant entrance of Jesus from Bethany to Jerusalem. Immediately afterwards, the theme of triumph changes radically with the reading of the Passion narrative, devoted to the suffering of Christ, which He endured for love of you.
Masses will be held as usual for Sundays.
In a particular way on Palm Sunday, the Church has provided a prayer service for the Placing Branches in the Home. While this ritual has been around for many decades, perhaps you will consider using it as you place palms in your home this year.
Blessing of Branches
Holy Thursday begins the Sacred Triduum – which means three days. On this first day the Church commemorates the events surrounding the Last Supper and the institution by Christ of the Holy Eucharist. At the Last Supper Jesus was with His Apostles celebrating the Passover, the annual memorial of the mystery of the Jews’ escape from Egypt, and the “passing over” of the angel of death. The Passover was an exodus, or passage, from the oppression of slavery to spiritual freedom. On this night before His crucifixion, Jesus commanded that this Passover be celebrated in a new way as an unbloody representation of His sacrificial and saving death that would take place the next day on the cross. This was (is) the new Passover of the Lord in which we are freed from slavery to sin and death through our cooperation with His divine life of grace received in Holy Communion.
Mass of the Lord's Supper will be celebrated at 7:00pm at St. Patrick Church, with Adoration until midnight.
Jesus humbly served His Apostles by washing their feet. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you…. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34, 35) Jesus washed his disciples’ feet as an act of service; how do we then serve others?
Often this is interpreted as a way to provide for the needs of the poor.
At the end of Mass, consecrated Hosts are placed in the Tabernacle. These Hosts will be received the next day in Holy Communion. After placing the Hosts in the tabernacle, an atmosphere of quiet watching with the Lord begins. This commemorates how Jesus went with His Apostles to the Garden of Gethsemane, and asking them (and you) to watch and pray with Him. Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup [of suffering] pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will it.” (Matthew 26:39) “And being in agony He prayed more earnestly; and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.” (Luke 22:44) The Church will be open for Adoration until midnight following the end of Mass: remain with Jesus in His agony over what He knew He would endure for the sins of the world.
The Liturgy of the Hours is the Church's way of praying without ceasing. Those who do not attend the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper are encouraged to unite their prayer with others' through Evening Prayer.
The second day of the Sacred Triduum is the Passion of the Lord, known as Good Friday, the commemoration of the death of Jesus on the cross outside the walls of Jerusalem. The theme of this day throughout history has been one of quiet sorrow and mourning for the crucified and dead Jesus.
Good Friday is a day of fasting and abstinence. Learn what this means.
The emphasis of the liturgy on this solemn day is on Scripture readings and prayers, the veneration of the cross, and the reception of the Eucharist from the Hosts consecrated on Holy Thursday.
Commemoration of the Passion of the Lord will be celebrated at 2:00pm at St. Patrick Church.
Tenebrae at 7:00pm at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.
In preparation for Divine Mercy Sunday on April 7, the Sunday after Easter, consider praying the Divine Mercy Novena, which is nine days of prayer starting on Good Friday. For each day of the novena there are particular prayers, followed by the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
Novena Prayers Chaplet Prayers
The daytime hours of Holy Saturday continue the atmosphere of Good Friday, and have been observed as a time of quiet and fasting.
The Easter Vigil on the evening of Holy Saturday is the night of all nights and the primary celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection. The elaborate and beautiful ritual of the Easter Vigil has four clearly-defined parts: the service of light, the Liturgy of the Word, the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation and the reception of the risen Christ in Holy Communion.
Easter Vigil Mass will be celebrated at 8:30pm at St. Patrick Church.
The service of light begins with a darkened church. The priest lights the Paschal candle, the symbol of Christ’s Resurrection. The Paschal candle is used to light small candles held by those in the congregation with the chant of “the light of Christ.”
The Exsultet is sung which recounts the saving action of Christ, and it is followed by the Liturgy of the Word, which consists of seven Old Testament readings that recapitulate God’s saving action throughout history, interspersed with responsorial Psalms and prayers. The Gloria is then joyously pronounced. The Gospel is proclaimed that narrates eye witness accounts of those who encountered the risen Christ, stirring you to a deeper realization that He is alive!
Often there are baptisms, bringing people to new life in Christ, followed by confirmations, strengthening them to be bold witnesses for their faith in God. You will renew your own baptismal promises to live more fully as a committed disciple of Christ.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist is celebrated with the greatest of joy, leading to our reception of the risen Christ in Holy Communion. This is a day to rejoice that the establishment of the Church and the celebration of the Sacraments are all made possible through the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Some ancient customs continue to have a special place in our human practices. One of these customs is to ask special Blessing of Food for the First Meal of Easter. You might consider using the following blessing for the first meal of Easter as you incorporate more intentional prayer in your home this Easter.
Blessing of Food
The theme of Easter morning continues the triumphant joy of the Easter Vigil. It remembers and celebrates the very foundation of Christianity: Jesus who is Lord is raised from the dead. You will want to share in this incredible joy by participating, as much as possible, in the holiest Week of the year.
Easter Sunday Masses will be celebrated at 8:00am at St. Patrick Church and at 10:30am at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.
Maybe we cannot invite enough of God’s graces into our homes. The Church encourages house blessings, especially during the Easter and Christmas seasons. Consider using the following Blessing of Homes ritual sometime during these Easter weeks to once again invite the Lord into your dwelling.
Blessing of Homes
Texts provided by the Diocese of La Crosse.