Holy Week services walk us to Easter

By William T. Clew | The Catholic Free Press

This year Palm Sunday, which is the last Sunday in Lent and the first day of Holy Week, is March 25.
It commemorates the triumphant arrival of Christ in Jerusalem, days before he was crucified.
The website Catholic Online describes it as the day the faithful will often receive palm fronds which they use to participate in the reenactment of Christ’s arrival in Jerusalem. In the Gospels, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a young donkey, and to the lavish praise of the townspeople who threw clothes, or possibly palms or small branches, in front of him as a sign of homage. This was a customary practice of great respect for people.
Palm branches are a widely recognized symbol of peace and victory, hence their preferred use on Palm Sunday. The use of a donkey instead of a horse is highly symbolic, it represents the humble arrival of someone in peace, as opposed to arriving on a steed in war.
According to liturgical notes distributed by the diocese, the solemn blessing and procession should take place at one of the Masses on Palm Sunday weekend. Bishop McManus will celebrate the 10:15 a.m. Mass on Palm Sunday at St. Paul Cathedral, 15 Chatham St., Worcester. The services will be broadcast at 6 p.m. on Charter Cable Channel 193.
The Mass of Holy Chrism, at which Bishop McManus will bless the oils used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and holy orders in parishes and diocesan liturgies throughout the year, will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., March 27, in St. Paul’s. Priests celebrating their 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 50th, 60th and 65th anniversaries as priests will be honored. This year Bishops McManus, Reilly and Rueger are each celebrating a significant anniversary.  It is Bishop McManus’ 40th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood; Bishop Rueger’s 60 anniversary, and Bishop Reilly’s 65th anniversary.
After the Mass, representatives from each parish will receive the oils for their parish. Parishes may celebrate the Rite of Reception of Holy Oils at any Mass or prayer service.
No funeral Masses are permitted on Holy Thursday, Good Friday or Holy Saturday, according to the liturgical guidelines. Instead, special entrance rites, liturgy of the word and final commendation are conducted.         
On Holy Thursday, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper is to be celebrated at a convenient hour after 4 p.m. One other Mass, for the convenience of those who cannot attend the evening Mass, may be celebrated in parish churches and public or semi-public oratories. The public is encouraged to spend time in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The host must be kept in a closed tabernacle and not be exposed in a monstrance.
At 7:30 p.m., a bilingual, English/Spanish, Holy Thursday Mass will be celebrated at St. Paul Cathedral. It will also be broadcast live on Charter Cable Channel 193.
Outdoor Stations of the Cross will be led by Bishop  McManus at noon on Good Friday, beginning at St. John’s Church, 44 Temple Street, Worcester. The procession will move through downtown stopping along the way to pray the 14 stations. It will conclude at St. Paul’s. This year the sacrament of reconciliation will not be celebrated following the stations.
On Good Friday, the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion should take place at 3 p.m. or later. The Good Friday liturgy will be held at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s and broadcast live on Charter Cable Channel 193.
On Holy Saturday the Easter Vigil may not begin before sunset. This year sunset is at 7:12 p.m. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops suggests adding an hour to that time to determine the approximate time of nightfall. Taking part in the Easter Vigil satisfies the Sunday obligation. The Vigil Mass at St. Paul’s begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on Channel 193.
On Easter Sunday, at all Masses, the Rite of Renewal of Baptismal Promises may take place after the homily.
Msgr. Robert K. Johnson, cathedral rector, will be  celebrant of the 10:15 a.m. Easter Sunday Mass at St. Paul’s. It will be broadcast at 6 p.m. on Channel 193. Bishop McManus will celebrate the noon Mass in Spanish.
Check with your local parish for the times of Masses and services. For online access, go to worcesterdiocese.org/parishfinder and click on the parish name and the “www” box to reach the parish website.