Holy Week and Triduum Preview - Fr. Louis Bulletin Letter - April 2, 2006
With next weekend’s celebration of Passion or Palm Sunday we begin Holy Week. These days are the center of our year of faith together. Indeed, our participation in these sacred rites is a privileged manner in which we live more deeply the mystery of our rebirth in Christ through our Baptism into the Death and Resurrection of Christ (see Romans 6:3-9). Plan now for your participation in these days!
Beginning with Passion or Palm Sunday we celebrate the mysteries of our salvation accomplished by Christ in the last days of His life on earth. “On Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday) the Church enters upon the mystery of her 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” (Congregation for Divine Worship, Caeremoniale Episcoporum, 263). The liturgy of Passion (Palm) Sunday has two parts: (1) The Commemoration of the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem with the blessing of palm branches at the main entrance of church, the proclamation of the Gospel about the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem, and the solemn entrance procession of ministers into the sanctuary; and (2) The Mass proper with the solemn proclamation of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Monday through Wednesday of Holy Week Masses are celebrated at 8:00 am and 5:15 pm. Thursday morning of Holy Week is the Chrism Mass at our Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman in La Crosse. “The Chrism Mass, which the Bishop concelebrates with his college of priests and at which the Holy Chrism is consecrated and the Oils are blessed, manifests the communion of priests with their Bishop in the same Priesthood and ministry of Christ (Congregation for Divine Worship, Paschales Solemnitatis, 35). Faithful from all parts of the Diocese of La Crosse participate in this Mass at which the Bishop exhorts the priests to fidelity in fulfilling their office in the Church and invites them to renew publicly their commitment to priestly service. The Bishop consecrates the Sacred Chrism and blesses the Oil of the Infirm and the Oil of the Catechumens. The stocks containing the Sacred Chrism and the Holy Oils for use in our parish are filled and brought back to Saint Peter’s. If possible, I encourage you to accompany me to the Chrism Mass. To facilitate your participation, a bus will leave Saint Peter’s parking lot at 7:00 am and return by 4:00 pm. Please call the parish office to register. The cost is $15.00 per person or $25.00 per family, but no one will be turned away because of inability to pay.
The Easter Triduum, the three holiest days of our year of faith together, begins Holy Thursday evening. “The greatest mysteries of the Redemption are celebrated yearly by the Church beginning with the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday until Evening Prayer of Easter Sunday. This time is called ‘the triduum of the crucified, buried, and risen’ (Saint Augustine of Hippo, Epistula 55); it is also called the ‘Easter triduum’ because during it is celebrated the Paschal Mystery, that is, the passing of the Lord from this world to His Father. The Church by the celebration of this mystery, through liturgical signs and sacramentals, is united to her Spouse in intimate communion” (Paschales Solemnitatis, 38).
Saint Peter, pray for us! Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!