STELLA MARIS PARISH

Holy Week Overview

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Before we celebrate Easter, the Church spends time meditating on the sacred mysteries of Holy Week. Holy Week encompasses Palm Sunday, the Chrism Mass, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil/Easter Sunday. During this time, we remember how Jesus’ incredible Sacrifice redeemed all of humanity, as well as each of us individually. There are new, healing graces to be received every year when we enter into this week, contemplating God’s great love for each one of us personally.

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Palm Sunday

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Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, which marks the start of Holy Week and is celebrated on the Sunday before Easter. We receive blessed palm branches at this liturgy, which recall the palm branches that were placed on the ground before Jesus as he entered Jerusalem on a donkey.

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Chrism Mass

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The Chrism Mass is a significant liturgical celebration in the Catholic Church, typically held during Holy Week (it will be held at St. Mary’s Basilica, not Stella Maris Parish). It is a solemn Mass where the Bishop, together with the priests and deacons of the Archdiocese, blesses the oils used in the sacramental life of the Church. There are three different oils that are blessed: the Oil of Catechumens, which is used for the sacrament of Baptism; the Oil of the Sick, which is used for the sacrament the Anointing of the Sick; finally the Sacred Chrism, which is used for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. Aside from the blessing of the oils, the priests of the Archdiocese renew the vows they made at ordination.

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Holy Thursday

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Holy Thursday recalls the Last Supper, when Jesus celebrated the Passover feast with His disciples the night before His Passion. This was where Jesus instituted the Eucharist and the priesthood, which makes it a significant day of remembrance for Catholics. We also remember Jesus washing His disciples feet, displaying the kind of love that we are called to give to our neighbor. After the Mass, the Blessed Sacrament is brought to the Altar of Repose, where we are invited to pray in Adoration. The Blessed Sacrament is left at the Altar until Good Friday.

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Good Friday

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This is the day that we meditate on the Passion and Death of Our Lord. Instead of Mass, there is a service where we venerate a cross in remembrance of the Crucifixion, and we hear the readings of the Passion. Because there is no Mass, Catholics receive hosts that were consecrated on Holy Thursday. Aside from the service, Good Friday is also a day of fasting and abstinence.

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Holy Saturday Easter Vigil

 

The Easter Vigil is one of the most significant liturgical celebrations for Catholics. It begins on Saturday evening, and starts with the blessing of the Easter Fire (a fire lit outside the Church).

 

The Paschal Candle is lit using this fire, which reminds us of how Christ is the Light of the World, and how He has overcome the darkness. The faithful are all given candles, and these candles are all lit from the lighting of the Paschal Candle. Typically, the lights in the Church are turned off as the faithful hold their lit candles in the darkened Church.

 

After the candle lighting, we remember salvation history through a multitude of readings and psalms, detailing God’s faithfulness to His people, Israel. Eventually we reach the proclamation of the Resurrection, upon which the lights in the Church are turned on again. Catechumens who have been preparing to enter the Church are usually Baptized and are formally received into the Church.

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Easter Sunday

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This is the day that we celebrate the risen Christ! The liturgy focuses on Christ’s ultimate victory over sin and death, and the promise of eternal life in Heaven with God. We enter into the Easter season full of hope, knowing that Jesus conquered death and won life for us.