The liturgies of Holy Week and Easter - JESUS INVITES US INTO HIS JOURNEY TO THE CROSS AND THE RESURRECTION! - Diocese of Gaylord

JESUS INVITES US INTO HIS JOURNEY TO
THE CROSS … AND THE RESURRECTION!
  The liturgies of Holy Week and Easter
                                                     T        hroughout Lent, we have our eyes fixed on the up-
                                                              coming passion and resurrection of our Lord. In our
                                                              parishes in the Diocese of Gaylord, as we continue
                                                     to safely return to Mass in person this year, we have a special
                                                     opportunity to participate anew in the liturgies of Holy Week.
                                                     Particularly the Triduum, or the “Three Days” of Holy Thurs-
                                                     day, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil, which draw us more
                                                     fully into the mysteries of our Lord’s death and resurrection.
                                                       So then, what are the Holy Week liturgies? And what is
                                                     their special meaning?

                                                     Palm Sunday
                                                     On this Sunday before Easter, we celebrate Jesus’ entrance into Jerusa-
                                                     lem, which ultimately leads to Calvary. During Palm Sunday Masses,
                                                     there is a procession to remind us that we “walk with Christ” through his
                                                     passion, death and resurrection. Palms are distributed for people to hold
                                                     and wave, just as the people in the Gospel of John did (Jn 12:13) as Jesus
                                                     entered into the city of Jerusalem. After Mass, we take the branches home
                                                     as a sacramental to remind us all year of the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made
                                                     for us.

                                                     Chrism Mass
                                                     In our diocese, the Chrism Mass is celebrated on Tuesday of Holy Week
                                                     at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Gaylord. This special celebration brings
                                                     people together from the various regions of the diocese in one place, and
                                                     all priests of the diocese renew their priestly promises. At this celebration
                                                     each year, the bishop blesses the Oil of the Sick, Oil of the Catechumens
                                                     and consecrates the Oil of Sacred Chrism that every church will use in
                                                     the coming year for the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the
                                                     anointing of the sick.

                                                     Holy Thursday
                                                     Holy Thursday celebrates the gift of the Eucharist with the Evening Mass
                                                     of the Lord’s Supper. We remember Jesus’ final meal with his disciples, in
                                                     which he awaits his imminent suffering and death. Instead of the usual
                                                     concluding rites, Mass will end with the transfer of the Blessed Sacrament
                                                     to a place of reposition allowing people to spend time in adoration. This
                                                     is in special preparation for his passion on Good Friday.

FAITH along Michigan’s 45th Parallel   • M ARC H /APR I L 2021

Good Friday
On this day of reflection, fasting and abstinence, we focus on Jesus’ suffering
and death with a Service of the Passion of the Lord. This is often held at 3
p.m., considered to be the moment of Jesus’ last breath. While this is not a
Mass, this service observes Scripture readings, a homily and prayers, and
most notably, begins in silence with the priest laying prostrate before the
cross. Later in the service, all will have the opportunity to venerate the cross,
often with a kiss. This year we will venerate the cross by a deep bow without
touching the cross.

Before the service ends in silence, the Blessed Sacrament will be brought out
from the place of repose and all can receive Communion. On Good Friday,
the praying of the Stations of the Cross might also be offered as a way that
we can remember Jesus’ suffering on our behalf.

Holy Saturday / Easter Vigil
Good Friday and Holy Saturday are somber remembrances of Jesus’ death
and burial in the tomb. However, the Easter Vigil, which begins on Saturday
at sundown, commences the glorious celebration of victory over death! The
Easter Vigil is the highlight of our Christian calendar, celebrated with four
unique parts of the liturgy: the service of light, the Liturgy of the Word,
Christian initiation, and renewal and the holy Eucharist. There are many
unique and beautiful parts of the celebration, including the blessing of the
Paschal candle; darkness in the church to symbolize the tomb; ringing of
the bells during the Gloria, as it is sung for the first time since Ash Wednes-
day; and the welcoming of catechumens and candidates into the Church
through the sacraments of initiation. The Easter Vigil tells the salvation story
throughout all of history, and also in our own lives, as we remember our
baptism and the gift of the resurrection and new life.

Easter Sunday
On Easter morning, we continue to rejoice in Jesus’ victory over the grave
and over death itself! This Mass is a celebratory liturgy that reminds us of
the joy and hope that Christ brings to each of us through his resurrection,
which only could come from his passion and death.

The Triduum liturgies offer a beautiful way to draw closer to Christ and more
deeply enter into the mystery of his passion and resurrection. Thankfully,
God is not hidden from us, and he makes himself present to us in deep and
beautiful ways through these celebrations. This year, consider setting aside
time for you and your family to participate in the Holy Week liturgies.
                                                                                    Getty Images/kevron2001

H O LY W E E K A N D E A S T E R 2 0 2 1
 Check with your parish for local Mass times for Holy Week and Easter liturgies.

 The following liturgies will be broadcast from the Cathedral of St. Mary in Gaylord, with the Most
 Reverend Walter A. Hurley presiding. Livestreams will be available at www.dioceseofgaylord.org.
                   The television broadcasts will be available on Fox Local 32/45.

           Palm Sunday:     March 27 (Vigil) — 5:00 p.m. / Livestream
                            March 28 — 8:00 a.m. / Television Broadcast

           Chrism Mass:     March 30 — 11:00 a.m. / Livestream

           Holy Thursday: April 1 — 7:00 p.m. / Livestream

           Good Friday:     April 2 — 1:00 p.m. / Livestream

           Holy Saturday: April 3 — 8:00 p.m. / Livestream

           Easter Sunday*: April 4 — 11:00 a.m. / Livestream and Live Television Broadcast

     * The Easter Sunday television broadcast at 11:00 a.m. will take the place of the diocese’s
              regularly scheduled (8:00 a.m.) televised Mass on Easter Sunday only.

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