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| Dr. Kate DeVries Associate Director Young Adult Ministry Ofc. |
In one of Fr. Cusick’s newest presentations, he describes how to celebrate some of the rich traditions of the Catholic faith in our own homes. We got a taste of it in Friday’s post, April 15, where he made suggestions for the palms distributed at Mass this weekend. Using the idea of extending our rituals into our homes (and workplaces, neighborhoods, etc.) here’s a look at some Holy Week options. We strongly encourage you to participate in Holy Week celebrations – both inside our church buildings, and outside them.
Palm Sunday
In Church: On Palm Sunday, we actually hear two Gospels – one as we begin Mass, and the second after our 2nd Reading. The first Gospel describes how the crowd used palms to welcome Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. [Read the full text.] The second is the Passion - the story of the suffering of Jesus from the night of the last supper to his death. This is Year A of our 3-year cycle; to today’s Passion story is from St. Matthew.
Outside Church: Please visit Fr. Cusick’s post from last Friday for prayers for praying over a blessed palm and a crucifix. As he mentions, if you don’t already have a crucifix hanging in your home, it’s a great week to hang one.
Holy Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
In Church: Our Gospels continue to set the scene as Jesus is moving toward his death. In Monday’s Gospel, Jesus and the disciples are dining with Lazarus, Mary and Martha. When Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with precious oil, Judas expresses his anger. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we again enter into the conversation at the last supper. A recurrent theme is: What is your relationship to Jesus, and how do you show it?
Liturgies this week are rich with signs, symbols, images, and an underlying current about what it means to love ( or betray) Jesus. Again, attend what you can. Two special liturgies:
1. Tuesday the Archdiocese of Chicago celebrates the Chrism Mass at Holy Name Cathedral. That Mass focuses on the unity of the priests with their bishop. Also at that Mass, the Cardinal will bless the three oils used in our sacraments and other rituals throughout the year, and representatives from every parish in the archdiocese will receive them.
2. Wednesday, look for a celebration of “Tenebrae,” which in Latin means “darkness.” The liturgy is made up of readings, psalms, and prayers, and a series of candles which are gradually extinguished as the story of Christ’s journey to Calvary is told.
Outside Church: Now is the time to revisit and review your Lenten practices. In light of how you have moved through these past 30-something days, where are you now? This is not a time to get down on ourselves for not being as faithful as we intended to be. It’s one last opportunity to grow deeper in faith. Work it from the inside, or from the outside. Going inside: Make time to still the noise, light a candle, use your imagination to meet Jesus in a favorite spot, and have a heart to heart talk. Taking it Outside: Is there something you want to do before Easter? Is there something you can do this week at home, at work, with others, that will symbolically demonstrate the Mary’s anointing of Jesus’ feet with oil? What simple gesture would you like to offer?
Holy Thursday
FYI – Holy Thursday begins our 3 most sacred days of the year, which we call the Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday/Easter). Also, Lent officially ends the moment the Mass of the Lord’s Supper begins today.
In Church: Today we celebrate the Last Supper, the origin of Jesus as our Bread of Life and Cup of Salvation. Today is all about being in Communion. So much so that John’s Gospel gives us that beautiful example of the washing of the feet. Jesus said, “Do you realize what I have done for you? … If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” [Read the full text.]
Outside Church: The altar in church represents both an altar of sacrifice, and the table at which your family and/or friends gather. Tomorrow, Good Friday, is all about sacrifice; today, we focus on the dining room table idea. It has been said that Mass is where we “gather the folks, tell the stories, and break the bread.” So is every table at which we break bread with others. Consider the meals you have shared in the past. Consider the ways in which you, and the others gathered, have been the Light of Christ for one another. It’s something to keep in mind the next time you dine with others. Thinking of the foot washing ritual, how have you washed another’s feet recently? How will you/we in the future?
Good Friday
In Church: On Good Friday, our last day of fasting for the season, again we remember the suffering and death of Jesus, endured because of his love for us. Today is the only day in the Catholic year that Mass is not celebrated. However, Eucharist from the Holy Thursday Mass can be distributed. Today’s Gospel is always a reading of the Passion from St. John’s Gospel. The ritual for today’s liturgy, is the veneration (honoring) of the cross. We adore the wood of the cross (without the image of Jesus on it), as an instrument of our salvation.
Another tradition, celebrated throughout the year, but especially relevant today, is praying the stations of the cross. The prayers are available on-line, but praying in Church adds the element of community. Here are the Stations prayed by Pope John Paul II on Good Friday, 1991.
Outside Church: Many families have a tradition for Good Friday. Some families keep silent from noon to 3 pm (the Gospel of Mark says Jesus was put on the cross on the third hour, and there was darkness over the land from the 6th to the 9th hour, when he gave up his spirit). Others have created their own tradition of prayer at a particular time. Consider a veneration of the cross throughout your day today. Remember, we started Lent with ashes in the form of a cross on our foreheads. Today, hold the cross with you all day. Consider wearing a cross, or putting a small one in your pocket. Even a simple cross drawn on a small post-it note will remind you of the significance of the day, and the power of Christ’s sacrifice. If you don’t make to church today, venerate/kiss the crucifix in your home and say a prayer of thanksgiving.
Holy Saturday
In Church: Today has been referred to as “Tomb Day,” as we wait for the resurrection of Jesus. ..that is, until sundown, when we begin the celebration of our high, holy day: Easter. The Easter Vigil, that Saturday evening Mass before Easter Sunday, is when we bring new members into the Catholic faith through the sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. It is a celebration packed with symbols and rituals, and includes fire, water, oil, moving from darkness to light, the uncovering of any statues covered for Holy Week, multiple readings that express our faith, each followed by sung responses, the return of the Gloria, the ringing of bells, the return of the Alleluia, a Litany of the Saints, the celebration of those sacraments, the renewal of baptismal vows, a sprinkling rite, white vestments, flowers and plants, and all the usual elements of Sunday Mass. It’s an amazingly rich celebration, which can last for several hours. A good explanation of the Easter Vigil can be found at the Creighton University website. .
Outside Church: Consider ways in which you will celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. The season of Lent lasts for 40 days, but the Easter season lasts a full 50 days! It’s not about the historic moment of resurrection as much as it is celebrating encounters of the Risen Lord. Where and with whom do you encounter Christ? Celebrate it!
These are just some suggestions for moving through Holy Week. Feel free to create your own traditions, and add your own suggestions here. A Blessed Holy Week and a Joyful Easter to all!
Kate DeVries
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