Holy Week

Holy Thursday
Mass of the Lord's Supper
7 pm
Compline (Night Prayer)
10 pm
On the eve of that last supper, breaking bread with chosen friends, He obeys the Law’s directions even as the old Law ends. Now He hands the Twelve new bread; His own flesh with their flesh blends! — Thomas Aquinas
 
The Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper begins the Sacred Triduum.  In commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus with His apostles, we recall the institution of the sacraments of the Eucharist and Holy Orders.  Following the homily is the ceremony of the washing of feet, reminding us that our discipleship is one of service.  At the end of Mass, the Blessed Sacrament is brought in procession to another tabernacle where we give thanks in prayer for the gift of the Eucharist.  The main altar is then stripped and left bare until the Easter Vigil.
 

Good Friday
Celebration of the Lord's Passion
3 pm
Stations of the Cross
7 pm
Confessions 7:30 pm

Thus in the Cross, and Him who hung upon it, all things meet; all things subserve it, all things need it. It is their centre and their interpretation. For He was lifted up upon it, that He might draw all men and all things unto Him.
— John Henry Cardinal Newman
 
In the afternoon is the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, which is always read from the Gospel of John.  There are special intercessions which are presented in the most ancient form.  The faithful also have the opportunity to venerate the Cross.  There is no Mass on Good Friday, but Holy Communion that was reserved from the Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be distributed.
 
 

Holy Saturday
...
Confessions
8:30 am
Blessing of Easter Food, 12:30pm
...
 

Easter Vigil
8 pm
This is the night, when Christ broke the prison-bars of death and rose victorious from the underworld.
Our birth would have been no gain, had we not been redeemed.
—Exsultet, Easter Vigil Liturgy
 
This is the high point of the liturgical year, in which we keep watch during the night in anticipation of Christ’s Resurrection. The vigil begins with a blessing of fire and lighting of the candles throughout the church.  As the Easter Candle is brought into the sanctuary, the deacon or priest sings an ancient chant, the Easter Proclamation. Then there is the Liturgy of the Word, recalling the most important events of salvation history, culminating with the Gospel proclamation of Christ’s Resurrection.  After the homily, the catechumens are baptized and/or received into the Catholic Church and share in the Eucharist with the entire congregation for the first time.

Easter Sunday