Holy Week
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CHRISM MASS is celebrated at the Cathedral with the bishop of the diocese gathered with the priests of the diocese along with the laity to bless and consecrate the three Holy Oils within a week of Holy Thursday. Everyone is invited to join in this celebration at the Cathedaral as the Bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City presides at this beautiful liturgy. Please check the bulletin for the date and time.
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HOLY WEEK is the holiest weeks of the year. During Holy Week we celebrate the holiest days of the year known as the TRIDUUM [Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday]. These are days that we should not plan any out of the normal activities. In fact, we should make plans to cease some of our normal activities in order that we can prepare and participate in the celebrations of the TRIDUUM. We need to take time out and respect these days as these are the HIGH FEAST DAYS OF THE LORD!
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PASSION [PALM] SUNDAY begins the celebration of Holy Week. This liturgy begins with the blessing of palms and a Gospel proclaiming Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem several days before the Passover and his arrest and crucifixion. There is a proclamation of the Passion of Christ according to one of the synoptic Gospels [St. Matthew, St. Mark, or St. Luke] by Father, two readers, and the congregation. Please check the bulletin for the date and time.
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TRIDUUM
The summit of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Triduum-from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ's Paschal Mystery. The single celebration of the Triduum marks the end of the Lenten season, and leads to the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil. The liturgical services that take place during the Triduum are:
Mass of the Lord's Supper
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion
Mass of the Resurrection of the LordEveryone is welcome and encouraged to participate in all the Triduum Liturgies.
HOLY THURSDAY begins with the Mass of the Lord's Supper which includes the presentation of the Holy Oils, washing of feet, Eucharistic procession, stripping of the altar, and adoration/night prayer. Please check the bulletin for the date and time.
GOOD FRIDAY includes proclamation of the Passion of Christ according to St. John by Father, two readers, and the congregation. Please check the bulletin for the date and time.
THE EASTER VIGIL, the most important sacramental celebration of the year, MUST begin after nightfall. There should be no excuses [other than death, serious illness, or forced labor] to miss and/or skip this celebration. There is nothing more important on TV. There is no other event more important. Please make plans to attend this Great Celebration here that does fulfill a person’s Sunday obligation just as any Saturday night Mass for Sunday does. This Mass consists of four parts:
1. The Service of Light reminds us that God created light to dispel the darkness of the abyss. Jesus came into the world as Light dissipating the darkness of sin. So, too, in our Vigil, we welcome the Pascal Candle, a sign of Christ, lit from new fire. In turn, it kindles the flames of our candles, spreading the Christ-light throughout the Church and throughout the world. This rich symbol expresses our privilege of bringing Christ’s light to others.
2. The Liturgy of the Word consisting of nine readings—seven from the Hebrew Scriptures and two from the Christian Scriptures that summarize the story of God’s saving plan.
3. The Liturgy of Initiation in which, if there are any, unbaptized adults are baptized, confirmed, and welcomed to Holy Communion; those already baptized in another faith denomination are received, confirmed, and welcomed to Holy Communion; and all the baptized renew our baptismal promises.
4. The Liturgy of the Eucharist in which all the faithful share in Christ’s body and blood in Holy Communion. This celebration, and our celebration of the Eucharist each time we gather, reminds us that we are not mere spectators of what has happened on the first Easter Sunday, but that we are participants in Christ’s resurrection!
Please check the bulletin for the date and time.