OUR PALM SUNDAY CELEBRATION reminds us of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Holy City, to cries of ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’. This, of course, is overshadowed by the religious authorities and crowds, who in a few days’ time will be baying for his blood with the words, ‘Crucify him, crucify him!’ This Palm Sunday sets the scene for the rest of our Holy Week.
THE SACRED TRIDUUM The three Holy Days – are seen as one continuous celebration of faith.
HOLY THURSDAY 8.00 p.m. We celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper where the institution of the Holy Eucharist took place; the eternal gift the Lord gave to the Apostles on the night before he died. He journeyed to Gethsemane where he prays to the Father. The arrest takes place in the garden; and the Apostles flee in fear. At the Altar of Repose there will be watching until 11.00 p.m.
GOOD FRIDAY 3.00 p.m. This Sacred and Solemn day recalls the cruel treatment of Jesus by his accusers and the Romans, the scourging at the pillar, the crowning with thorns, his condemnation through false evidence brought against him. Pilate washes his hands of Jesus, and he begins the journey up the Hill of Calvary to his brutal Crucifixion & Death. The beautiful and reverential and loving act of coming to the Cross is the central feature of Good Friday and shows our Love for Our Lord.
HOLY SATURDAY 8.00 p.m. Commences with the silence of the Tomb. And yet God raises Jesus out of death. We celebrate the first Mass of Easter at our Vigil celebration. Jesus triumphs over sin and death and invites us to share in the New Life of Resurrection faith.
THE EASTER VIGIL this year will commence at 8.00 p.m. We start outside with the lighting and blessing of the Easter Fire, we bless and light the Easter Candle, and process into the dark Cathedral with the Deacon singing ‘Lumen Christi’ – ‘The Light of Christ’. The Vigil is the high point of the Church’s liturgical year; it retraces the story of Salvation History commencing with Genesis, Exodus, Isaiah, Romans & this year St Luke’s Gospel. At the Easter Vigil there will be three Baptisms, Tara O’Neill, Alfie Hazell & Matthew Hope. There will be five receptions into the Church, Angela Piggott, Abiodun Owolabi, Niosi Owolabi, Robert Wizik & Lee Pizzey. This has been a momentous journey for all our Catechumens and Candidates, please keep them in your prayers during this Holy Week. It will be a great joy to welcome them into the Catholic Church here at the Cathedral Parish. A rehearsal of the Easter Vigil will take place for the Catechumens and Candidates on Holy Saturday Morning at 11.00 a.m.
