Holy Week events announced by Cathedral

Father Thomas S. Willis, pastor of Cathedral Parish, has announced the times for services during Holy Week to local news reporters at Historic City News.

These days are considered the holiest by Christianity as they celebrate and remember the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.

The Most Reverend Victor Galeone, Bishop of St. Augustine, will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the annual Mass of the Chrism on Wednesday, March 31 at 11:00 a.m. At this Mass, the holy oils used in the celebrations of the sacraments are blessed. The Mass is concelebrated by the priests of the Diocese who will reaffirm their commitment to priestly service.

On Holy Thursday, April 1, Morning Prayer will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. The primary service of the day will be the 7:00 p.m. Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper. This liturgy begins the Sacred Triduum – the three days of remembering the saving deeds of the Lord. At this Mass, Bishop Galeone will wash the feet of 12 Cathedral parishioners in remembrance of Jesus’ washing the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper.

Following the Thursday evening Mass, Eucharistic Adoration will continue in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of the Cathedral until 12:00 midnight. Night Prayer will be held at 11:45 p.m.

The service of Morning Prayer at 9:00 a.m. will begin the liturgies and services of Good Friday, April 2. The principal liturgy for the day is the Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion at 3:00 p.m. and Bishop Galeone will be the celebrant. This service includes the proclamation of the passion, veneration of the cross and distribution of Holy Communion. In the evening, Stations of the Cross will be held beginning at 7:00 p.m.

On Holy Saturday, April 3, Morning Prayer will be held at 9:00 a.m. The traditional blessing of Easter foods will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. in the Cathedral. Bishop Galeone will be the principal celebrant for the Easter Vigil – the primary liturgy of the Church in the liturgical year — which will be celebrated at 8:00 p.m.

On Easter Sunday, April 4, Masses at the Cathedral will be at 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Mass will also be celebrated at St. Benedict the Moor Church on Martin Luther King Avenue at 8:00 a.m.

There will also be two Masses celebrated at the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche on San Marco Avenue on Easter. First, there will be a sunrise Mass at 7:00 a.m. followed by an additional Mass beginning at 9:00 a.m. These Masses will take place at the Rustic Altar on the grounds of the Mission. Some seating will be provided but those who attend are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

The conclusion of the Sacred Triduum comes with the celebration of Paschal Vespers at 6:00 p.m. on Easter Sunday evening. This liturgy replaces the regular Sunday evening Mass at the Cathedral.

Photo credit: © 2010 Historic City News contributed photograph