Holy Week
Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday are essential periods in the ecclesiastical calendar that we all look forward to. We have been fasting for some weeks with sober reflections, acts of penance, prayers, and almsgiving.
Palm Sunday is with us now, where the triumphal entry of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is re-enacted through the procession of palms. This event is recorded in the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. People waving palm branches and shouting ‘hoshi’ana’ (Save Please) as Jesus enters Jerusalem. Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord is the first day of Holy Week, and it teaches us how important it is for all of us to welcome Jesus into our lives and always follow him.
Maundy Thursday, also called Holy Thursday and other names, is when Jesus Christ washed his disciples’ feet and the institution of the Holy Eucharist, also called the Last Supper. This is a significant day in the life of the church. The Latin word ‘mandatum’ means commandment because, on this day, Jesus said to his disciples in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
Maundy Thursday is followed by Good Friday, the day our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified and died for all our sins. This day is a very solemn day and momentous day for all Christians because since Jesus was crucified, the message of the cross has been propagated throughout the world. The cross signifies man’s salvation, and it is only through it that hope is assured.
Holy Saturday is also known as Great Saturday; this is the day that the Paschal Lamb is blessed, the day of lights, and the day that the Gloria we have missed for some time is sung with bells tolling. This is the last day of the Holy Week. On this day, we wait for the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Easter vigil service is celebrated. The vigil leads us to the climax, where Jesus Christ’s resurrection occurs.
This Easter will be unique as we thank God for the ministry of Fr. Matthew Cashmore, Catherine, and Edmund. They continue with the work of God in a new parish.
Other News
Chrism Mass is on Holy Tuesday, 26th March at 11am, St. Andrews, Holborn. Poster on the Notice Board.
We will do a little get together party in honour of Fr. Matthew, Catherine and Edmund as they move to their new parish on Easter Sunday. So, we are humbly encouraged to bring something to share with them.
If you want to be baptised or know someone who want to be baptised on Easter Sunday, please see Fr Josiah for a baptism form.
Please support us with donations for Easter Flowers
Services for Palm Sunday and Holy Week:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week – 3pm, Stations of the Cross, 7pm Confessions and 7:30pm High Mass.
28th – Maundy Thursday – 8pm High Mass of the Lord’s Supper with Washing of feet.
29th – Good Friday – 3pm Liturgy of the Passion with Veneration of the Cross
- 31st – Easter Sunday, Easter Mass with Procession – 10am
Please support the church generously through your giving at www.stanselm.co.uk/giving