Catholic Outlook Magazine | Lent & Easter | 2024 Issue

BY SR MARY LOUISE WALSH ISSM
explained
Here is a list of the liturgical events across the week and what happens at each one.
Check pages 58-61 for your local parish’s Holy Week Mass and Liturgy times.
Palm Sunday
Tenebrae
Chrism Mass
On Palm Sunday, palms are
blessed and our churches are
often decorated with palms.
This commemorates the
entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem
when palms were laid down by
the people as He entered the
town, before His arrest on Holy
Thursday.
Tenebrae is a reflection liturgy
with scripture, Psalm chanting
and motets. During the
liturgy, there is a progressive
extinguishing of candles and
darkening of the church. For
a brief time towards the end
of the service, the church is in
darkness, only to be startled
by a loud noise symbolising
the earthquake at the death
of Jesus. Afterwards, the single
candle representing Christ is
returned to the church and
restored to its place. All are
welcome to attend on Monday
25 March at St Patrick's
Cathedral at 7.30pm.
All the priests of the Diocese
gather to celebrate this
Mass, where they renew
their priestly vows. During
the Mass, the oils used for
sacramental rituals throughout
the Diocese are blessed and
consecrated. These oils are then
individually presented to parish
representatives at the end of
the Mass. All are welcome to
attend the Chrism Mass on
Wednesday 27 March at St
Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta,
from 7.30pm.
Holy Thursday
The Holy Thursday Mass, which we also refer to as the Mass of
the Lord’s Supper, focuses on the institution of the Eucharist.
Following the homily, the priest may wash the feet of twelve people
to symbolise how Christ led through service. Following the Mass,
the Blessed Sacrament will usually be taken from the tabernacle to
another place for adoration and then reservation.
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