Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper
April 6th, 7:00 PM in the Church
After Mass, procession to the Altar of Repose in Corbett Hall, with Solemn Adoration to Continue until 10:00 PM
The Triduum begins on the evening of Holy Thursday with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
Holy Thursday commemorates the night when the Eucharist was instituted at the Last Supper by Jesus and his movement to the Garden of Gethsemane. Traditionally, the sacred oils blessed by the Bishop would be presented, 12 parishioners would participate in the foot-washing ritual re-enacting Jesus washing the feet of the disciples, and after Communion, a procession would accompany Jesus to the Eucharistic Tabernacle, “The Altar of Repose” reenacting Jesus’ move to the Garden where we would spend time until midnight fulfilling his request to “watch one hour with me.”
Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord
April 7th –
The Seven Last Words, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM in the Chruch
As Jesus hung on the cross, he uttered seven last phrases of great meaning to those contemplating his passion and death. Today, on Good Friday, we remember his Seven Last Words, which have been widely used in Good Friday homilies. The tradition was begun in the 17th century by a Jesuit priest in Peru, and the devotion spread around the world. Jesus’s last words, as recorded in the Gospels, became part of the church’s Lenten tradition.
The Seven Last Words are traditionally part of a Good Friday service and often include some element of music, prayer or reflection. Most churches choose seven different speakers to reflect on the words Jesus spoke from the cross.
Confession is not scheduled this afternoon.
The Stations of Cross, 3:00 PM in the Church
The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ’s last day on Earth as a man. The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation. The stations are commonly used as a mini-pilgrimage as the individual moves from station to station. At each station, the individual recalls and meditates on a specific event from Christ’s last day. Specific prayers are recited, then the individual moves to the next station until all 14 are complete.
The stations are most commonly prayed during Lent on Wednesdays and Fridays, and especially on Good Friday, the day of the year upon which the events actually occurred. The Stations of the Cross, which follow the path of Christ from Pontius Pilate’s praetorium to Christ’s tomb are a popular devotion in parishes during Lent. In the 16th century, this pathway was officially entitled the “Via Dolorosa” (Sorrowful Way) or simply Way of the Cross or Stations of the Cross.
A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful for making the Stations of the Cross under the normal conditions:
- One is free from all attachment from sin
- One receives the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist (Within 7 days before or after completing this devotion but if you are in the state of mortal sin, you can not complete this devotion and gain the indulgence. You must be in the state of grace while saying the stations, even if you satisfy this requirement of Confession after)
- One prays for the intentions of the Pope
Friday of the Passion of the Lord and the Veneration of the Cross, 7:00 PM in the Church 
On Good Friday, the day of Christ’s death on the cross, we commemorate with the solemn Passion service, which includes our clergy presenting themselves prostrate at the Altar, a Liturgy of the Word, Veneration of the Cross, and Communion service. Today the whole Church mourns the death of our Savior. This is traditionally a day of sadness, spent in fasting and prayer.
Holy Saturday
April 8th The Blessing of the Easter Food, 8:30 AM in the Narthex
NO Confession is scheduled today.
The Resurrection of the Lord
Easter Vigil in the Holy Night, Saturday, April 8, 8:30 PM in the Church
The Easter Vigil is our time to begin the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection!
Traditionally, we begin outside with the Easter fire and the blessing of the Easter Candle. The church is in darkness and, as the Candle enters, we begin to light our candles from it and fill the church with light. We find the interior richly decorated after the solemnity of Thursday and Friday. The Exsultet is chanted to welcome the Candle which represents the light of Christ. The Liturgy of the World has multiple Scripture readings that reveal God’s plan from Genesis to Jesus as we celebrate God’s love which culminates in the Cross and Resurrection. After the Liturgy of the Word, the baptismal water is blessed and the Litany of the Saints is sung, asking them to join us, to pray for us. This is followed by baptisms and confirmations of those from our English and Spanish families who desire to enter or come into full communion with the Church. We end our joyous celebration of these sacraments with the Liturgy of the Eucharist and a joyful dismissal.
This a beautiful, solemn Mass and all are welcome to participate in welcoming our brothers and sisters into the faith! Congratulations to our candidates who have prepared this year and are received in full communion with the church.
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
Sunday, April 8th
5:30 AM, Sunrise Mass is Outdoors in the parking lot. Please bring your own lawn chair.
7:00 AM, Church and overflow to Corbett Hall * temporary time change
9:00 AM & 11:00 AM, Church and overflow to Corbett Hall and Holy Redeemer Gym
1:00 PM, Church and overflow to Corbett Hall
On this day we offer a joyful sacrifice to the Father who raised His Son from the dead. Let us be intent upon the life Christ offers us, Christ our Passover who has been sacrificed.
The Easter Triduum ends with the conclusion of evening prayer and the 50 days of the Easter season begins.