This weekend we begin Holy Week. The Saturday and Sunday liturgies commemorate the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem prior to his death on the cross. As always, we begin with blessed palm branches and participate in the communal proclamation of the Passion of the Lord.
Tuesday, March 30 is the Chrism Mass at the cathedral at 7 pm. At this liturgy, Archbishop Kurtz will bless the oil of catechumens, the oil of the sick, and the sacred chrism (used for baptism, confirmation, and ordination), and the priests will renew the promises they first made on their ordination day. This is a beautiful, moving, and unique liturgy. The liturgy will be livestreamed from the Cathedral.
Thursday, April 1 is Holy Thursday. By ancient tradition, this liturgy is celebrated once in each parish (5 pm at St. Brigid, 7 pm at St. James). At this liturgy, we commemorate the Last Supper where Jesus gave us the gift of the Eucharist. This year there will no washing of feet due to COVID Healthy at Worship protocols. The Holy Thursday liturgy concludes with a solemn procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the main tabernacle.
Friday, April 2 is Good Friday. Again, by ancient tradition, this liturgy is celebrated once in each parish (3 pm at St. Brigid, 7 pm at St. James), but it is not a Mass. At this liturgy, we have a communal proclamation of the Passion. Unique to this liturgy, is the veneration of the cross by the faithful. Holy Communion consecrated the evening before is offered, and by tradition we depart in silence.
Saturday, April 20 is the Easter Vigil. This is celebrated at St. James at 8:30 pm, beginning outdoors with the dedication of the Paschal candle and the chanted proclamation of the Exsultet (the Easter praises). This year there are no adult baptisms or confirmations. We do have six people in the early stage of inquiring about becoming Catholic.
We will observe our regular Sunday schedule on Easter (8 am and 10:15 am at St. Brigid; 8:30 am, 11 am, and 7 pm at St. James). By ancient tradition, all baptized will renew their promises of baptism and be sprinkled with the newly blessed Easter holy water.
All of our liturgies will be live-streamed as well as celebrated publicly. I hope you will join us in person or online for these most sacred liturgies of the year.
Fr. Gary
