There have been some questions about the celebrations during Holy Week. Let me offer a description of the celebrations. I shall also provide the dates and times when they will be celebrated at St. Raymond.
The high point of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Triduum. The celebration of the Triduum marks the end of the Lenten season and leads to the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil.
The Triduum needs to be looked at from two points of view. Liturgically it is a single celebration but in three parts. Thus, chronologically the events take place over three days - from the evening of Holy Thursday, through Good Friday and the Lord's Passion to the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil (Saturday Evening).
I felt it was important that as many people as possible had the opportunity to experience the solemnity and pageantry of these three events Thus I made a decision that all three parts would be in the evening (after the end of the work and school day) and at the same time (to make it easier to remember the schedule).
On (Holy) Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 pm we celebrate The Mass of the Lord's Supper. This commemorates the Last Supper, during which Christ instituted the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and the Sacrament of Holy Orders. It also commemorates Jesus's commandment and example to love one another. Christ washed the feet of the Apostles at the Last Supper, After the homily, the priest follows Jesus' example by washing the feet of 12 parishioners.
On (Good) Friday, April 7 at 7:00 pm we celebrate the Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion. This includes the reading of the Holy Passion and Death of Jesus Christ and the Veneration of the Cross. For those who desire to be in Church during the period when Jesus endured His passion, we will pray the stations of the cross at 2:00 pm.
On Saturday evening, April 8 at 7:00 pm the Easter Vigil celebrates the Resurrection of the Lord. The Easter Vigil contains four components: Service of Light (Blessing of the Fire and Lighting of the Paschal Candle), Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of Baptism, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
I invite you to come and participate in these magnificent liturgical events. Invite family and friends to join you. I look forward to celebrating along with you.
Fr. Charles