As we enter into Holy Week, I want to encourage everyone to attend sacred ceremonies, as they can. The practice of an annual spiritual retreat is impossible for many with the exigencies of modern life, but Holy Week can really be set aside to serve this purpose. I would prevail upon those who are able (I am aware that gas is very expensive and the demands of work and family life are many) to attend what ceremonies they can attend, including:
- Daily Mass, Monday to Wednesday. Today, we encounter the anointing of Our Lord at Bethany, and add our affection and devotion to the tears of St. Mary Magdalene as Our Lord approaches his Sacred Passion. Tomorrow and Wednesday, we walk with Our Lord through the Passion according to St. Mark and St. Luke, respectively.
- Tenebrae on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evening. The psalms, antiphons, responsories, and hymns of these ancient prayers add a rich depth of meaning to the events of the Sacred Triduum.
- The Mass of the Last Supper on Thursday, with its beautiful procession to the Altar of Repose.
- Keeping “one hour” with Our Lord in the garden at said Altar.
- The Mass of the Pre-Sanctified on Friday, where we strive to bring comfort and consolation to Our Crucified Lord, to stand with Our Lady at the foot of the Cross.
- The Vigil Mass on Saturday, which carries us through the major events of sacred history, and where we keep vigil at the Holy Tomb of Our Lord, mindful of his glorious Resurrection.
Where there is a legitimate impediment to assisting at the church itself, Holy Week may still be sanctified by spiritual reading, prayer, and a spirit of recollection.
As I stated in the bulletin, it is a great act of charity to try to make it for confession before the Sacred Triduum. It is not uncommon for penitents that have been away from Our Lord for many years to gather their courage to confess during these most holy of days. The lines during the Triduum are usually very long, however, and with solemn ceremonies, the priests are not at liberty to continue hearing confessions during the sacred liturgy. I tried to hear confessions where time was at all permitting yesterday, and the priests will continue to make confessions as available as possible over the next few days.
Finally, a reminder that during the Sacred Triduum itself, we are here to give something to Our Lord – namely, accompanying him through the agonies of his Passion. We are moving towards a larger church, but space is still very limited. Do not be dismayed or discouraged if you find yourself without a pew. I am confident that Our Lord is very pleased by the presence of so many of his loved ones coming to him, despite the crowds, to make a return of his love.
God bless you all.
