Holy Week begins today with Palm Sunday of the Passion. It has this double name because the beginning of Mass commemorates Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We hear the Gospel of His entry into Jerusalem and we join the crowds by carrying palm branches and singing “Hosanna” as the procession moves through the church. The tone of the celebration changes quickly with the assigned readings for Mass and the proclamation of the Passion of the Lord from the Gospel of Luke.
This Tuesday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Cardinal Dolan will preside at the Chrism Mass. This Mass includes the recommitment of priests to their ministry and the blessing of the oil of the sick, the oil of the catechumens and the consecration of sacred chrism. This chrism will be used at the Easter Vigil to anoint our newly baptized and for the confirmation of our candidates. The Chrism Mass is open to the public and begins at 4:00 PM.
Look over our schedule for confessions throughout the week and the times for Masses on Holy Thursday, the Services on Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Masses. It is a busy week and if you plan on going to confession, go early in the week – there will be extra confessors available.
-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.