Palm Sunday to the Easter Vigil

The greatest week of the Christian year, day by day.

Everything the Church does all year points at these three days. From the palms on Sunday to the fire in the dark at the Vigil, Holy Week is one continuous liturgy — the Triduum is technically a single celebration spread over three days, which is why Good Friday has no dismissal.

Palm Sunday

Lord, the crowd that shouted Hosanna
shouted something else five days later.
I am in that crowd.
Keep me faithful when the mood turns. Amen.

Holy Thursday

The Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the washing of feet, and the procession to the altar of repose. The traditional practice is to visit seven churches afterwards, keeping watch.

Lord, on this night You knelt and washed the feet of the man who would betray You.
Teach me to serve people who will let me down,
and to stay awake one hour with You. Amen.

Good Friday

The one day of the year with no Mass anywhere in the world. The liturgy is the Passion, the solemn intercessions, the veneration of the cross, and Communion from the reserved Sacrament.

Behold the wood of the cross,
on which hung the salvation of the world.
Come, let us adore.

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You,
because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Holy Saturday

The most silent day in the calendar. No Mass, no sacraments except confession and anointing, an empty tabernacle with the door open. The Church waits at a tomb.

Lord, this is the day of the sealed tomb and nothing happening.
Be with everyone whose life is currently a Saturday:
waiting, uncertain, and told nothing.
Teach us how to wait. Amen.

The Easter Vigil

The mother of all vigils: the new fire, the Exsultet sung in the dark, seven readings walking through salvation history, the baptisms, and the Gloria with every bell in the building.

Christ yesterday and today,
the Beginning and the End,
the Alpha and the Omega.
All time belongs to Him, and all the ages.
To Him be glory and power through every age for ever. Amen.

About This Week

If you attend only one liturgy all year besides Sunday Mass, make it the Easter Vigil. It is long — often three hours — and it is the single most beautiful thing the Church does.