Today we begin what is typically referred to as ‘Holy Week’. It is a time set aside by the Church for us to commemorate the events of Christ’s Passion and Resurrection. Following are excerpts from the Ceremonial of Bishops, 1984, regarding these services.
Palm Sunday:
On Passion Sunday [Palm Sunday] the Church enters upon the mystery of its crucified, buried, and risen Lord, who, by his entrance into Jerusalem, gave a glimpse of his own majesty. Christians carry branches as a sign of the royal triumph that Christ won by his acceptance of the cross. Since Saint Paul says: “Provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him,” the link between these two aspects of the paschal mystery should stand out clearly in the liturgical celebration and catechesis of Palm Sunday. (#263)
The service on Holy Thursday begins the Easter Triduum – or ‘three days’ in Latin.
Holy Thursday, 7pm:
With this Mass, celebrated in the evening of the Thursday in Holy Week, the Church begins the sacred Easter Triduum and devotes itself to the remembrance of the Last Supper. At this supper on the night he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus, loving those who were his own in the world even to the end, offered his body and blood to the Father under the appearances of bread and wine, gave them to the apostles to eat and drink, then enjoined the apostles and their successors in the priesthood to offer them in turn.
This Mass is, first of all, the memorial of the institution of the Eucharist, that is, of the memorial of the Lord’s Passover, by which under sacramental signs he perpetuated among us the sacrifice of the New Law. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper is also the memorial of the institution of the priesthood, by which Christ’s mission and sacrifice are perpetuated in the world. In addition this Mass is the memorial of that love by which the Lord loved us even to death…[By the faithful’s devotion may they] be able to deepen their grasp of such great mysteries and reflect them more faithfully in the conduct of their lives. (#297)
Good Friday, 3pm and 7pm:
The wonderful works of God among the people of the Old Testament were a prelude to the work of Christ the Lord. He achieved his task of redeeming humanity and giving perfect glory to God, principally by the paschal mystery of his blessed passion, resurrection from the dead, and glorious ascension, whereby ‘dying he destroyed our death and rising he restored our life’ (Preface for Easter). For it was from the side of Christ as he slept the sleep of death upon the cross that there came forth the sublime sacrament of the whole Church.
In contemplating the cross of its Lord and Bridegroom, the Church commemorates its own origin and its mission to extend to all peoples the blessed effects of Christ’s passion that it celebrates on this day in a spirit of thanksgiving for his marvelous gift. (#312)
Easter Vigil, 8pm:
In accord with ancient tradition, this night is a night of vigil for the Lord, and, as the memorial of the holy night of Christ’s resurrection, the Vigil celebrated is “the mother of all holy vigils.” The Church this night awaits the Lord’s resurrection and celebrates it with the sacrament of Christian initiation. (#332)
Due to the pandemic, there are a few things that will not fully be celebrated in the way that we are accustomed to. There will be no washing of the feet on Holy Thursday. On Good Friday, the veneration of the Cross will be done communally as we kneel in silence. Through all of these slight differences, we will still be joining in the Prayer of the Church as it is celebrated throughout the world.