Holy Week is at the heart of the Church Year. The liturgies of our Church observed this week remember and make present again the passing of Jesus from life to death to new life, and all creation with Him.
“The Paschal Mystery of Christ’s Cross and Resurrection stands at the center of the Good News that the apostles, and the Church following them, are to proclaim to the world. God’s saving plan was accomplished “once for all” by redemptive death of his Son Jesus Christ.” CCC 571)
Monday, April 10, 7:30 PM-HOLY CHRISM MASS, St Robert Bellarmine, Freehold. Celebrates the unity of the priests with their Bishop and Blesses three oils which will be used in the administration of the sacraments throughout the diocese for the year. All are invited to attend.
Wednesday, April 12, 7:30PM-TENEBRAE SERVICE, St Catharine, Spring Lake. The word "Tenebrae" comes from the Latin meaning 'darkness' or 'shadows'. The Tenebrae Service is meant to inspire and awaken a sense of aw and wonder at the great Mysteries contained within the upcoming Holy Week and Easter Liturgies!
SACRED TRIDUUM: For three days St Pius the Tenth with the universal Church celebrates one continual liturgy. The interval from eventide on Holy Thursday to the afternoon of Holy Saturday is like no other in the liturgical year — a time without the celebration of Mass. It is different for a reason. For these are the hours of the Sacred Passion, death, and burial of our God and Redeemer.
Traditionally, the organ is silent from Holy Thursday until the Alleluia at the Easter Vigil, as are all bells or other instruments, the only music during this period being unaccompanied chant.
Holy Thursday, April 13, 7:00pm-MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
We celebrate the very first Eucharist-“for on the night that he was handed over, took bread, and after he had given thanks, broke it and said “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me….In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying,”This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again.”
We also celebrate Jesus’s washing of His disciple’s feet teaching humility and service and the priesthood on Holy Thursday.
After procession from the High Altar, Jesus is brought to the Chapel and placed in the Repository for a Eucharistic Vigil.
In a general audience during Holy Week of 2011,Pope Benedict noted that the eucharistic vigil on this night is “in memory of the Lord’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane,” when He experienced “immense anguish at the closeness of death.”
Citing Christ’s admonition to His apostles in Gethsemane, “. . . remain here, and watch with me” (Matt. 26:38), the Pontiff reflected upon how this vigil summons us to overcome our indifference to God and to the battle between good and evil. Adoration continues until 10pm.
Good Friday, April 14, 3:00PM-LITURGY OF THE PASSION AND DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST On Good Friday, the entire Church fixes her gaze on the Cross at Calvary. Each member of the Church tries to understand at what cost Christ has won our redemption. In the solemn ceremonies of Good Friday, in the Adoration of the Cross, in the chanting of the 'Reproaches', in the reading of the Passion, and in receiving the pre-consecrated Host, we unite ourselves to our Savior, and we contemplate our own death to sin in the Death of our Lord. No Mass is celebrated on this day, but the service of Good Friday is called the Mass of the Presanctified because Communion (in the species of bread) which had already been consecrated on Holy Thursday is given to the people.
Living Stations of the Cross performed by Youth Ministry at 7pm.
Holy Saturday, April 15-Blessing of Food-12pm
Easter Vigil Mass, April 15-7pm
This is the climax of the our Holy Week Liturgies. This is the night in which we celebrate Christ’s Resurrection and the welcoming of new Catholics. The Catholic Community gathers outside the Church around a blazing fire dispelling darkness and lighting up the night. The Paschal Candle is lit and processed into the Church where all other candles are lit from the flame of the Christ Candle. The Liturgy of the Word is rich and takes us on a journey through salvation history. This Holy Mass includes the Liturgy of Baptism and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Easter Sunday, April 16-Masses at 8, 10am and 12noon Alleluia, Alleluia-HE IS RISEN!!