As Catholics across the Diocese and around the world prepare for the beginning of Holy Week, Catholic Outlook takes you through the liturgical events across the week and what happens at each one.
Palm Sunday
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.
Parishioners hold up palm fronds during the Commemoration of Palm Sunday at Corpus Christi Parish, Cranebrook. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Tenebrae
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.
The candles are extinguished during the 2023 Office of Tenebrae at St Patrick’s Cathedral., Parramatta. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
Chrism Mass
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.
The Oil of the Sick is blessed by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, during the 2023 Chrism Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
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.
Parish Priest Fr Carlos Walker (right) washes the feet of parishioners during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday at Our Lady of Angels, Rouse Hill on 6 April 2023. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Good Friday
On the morning of Good Friday, we pray the 14 Stations of the Cross, spiritually accompanying Jesus on his journey to Golgotha. At 3pm on Good Friday, the Celebration of the Passion of Christ takes place. Following this liturgy, the crosses around the church that were covered are now uncovered.
A parishioners venerates the cross during the Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion at St Luke’s Catholic Faith Community, Marsden Park. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
If you are interested in joining the Annual Good Friday Night Walk, an overnight pilgrimage from Blacktown to Parramatta with young people of the Diocese, you need to register in advance at parracatholic.org/events/cyp-good-friday-night-walk/
Easter Vigil
The Easter Vigil takes place after sunset on Holy Saturday, and usually begins outside the church around a small fire. Here the Paschal candle is lit, and everyone processes following the candle into the dark church. Baptismal candles for the next 12 months are lit from the flame of the Paschal candle. It is at the Easter Vigil that catechumens joining the Catholic faith are baptised and welcomed into the community.
Parish Priest Fr Wim Hoeksta carries the Paschal candle as he processes in to St Michael’s Church, Baulkham Hills. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Easter Sunday
On Easter Sunday, we celebrate Christ’s resurrection from the dead and the new life He gives us. The next 50 days through to Pentecost Sunday are celebrated in joy as ‘one great Sunday’ and are known as Easter Time, or Easter Tide.
Assistant Priest Fr Floyd Gatana blesses parishioners during Easter Sunday Mass at St Andrew the Apostle Parish, Marayong. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
For your parish’s Holy Week Mass and Liturgy times, please visit the Diocesan website parracatholic.org
Sr Mary Louise Walsh ISSM is the Liturgy Educator | Worship in the Mission Enhancement Team of the Diocese of Parramatta.
This article was originally published in the 2024 Easter | Autumn edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine. You can read the digital version here or pick up a copy in your local parish.
