We are grateful that the restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic are being eased somewhat. More of us are now able to worship in church together (still wearing masks and keeping families at a distance from others as much as is possible in our small chapel). We will hope to have outdoor coffee hours whenever the weather is favorable, and we pray that the pandemic will soon be over.
For the remainder of the Lenten season, we will continue to have Stations of the Cross and Litany of the Cross on Fridays at 7PM. The services for Holy Week are as follows:
Palm Sunday (April 25) – After 9AM Matins, we go outside for the blessing and distribution of Palms and a procession around the grounds in remembrance of our Lord’s entry into Jerusalem before the Crucifixion. At the Gospel, we will hear the narrative of St. Matthew sung by the clergy and choir.
Monday and Tuesday of Holy Week – Mass will be at 7PM and the Passion story from the Gospels of Mark and Luke will be heard.
Wednesday of Holy Week – At this Mass, the oils of catechumens and the sick will be blessed.
Maundy Thursday – This service includes many ceremonies based on Jesus’ last days before the Crucifixion. The institution of the Eucharist is celebrated and our pastor will wash the feet of acolytes as Christ washed those of the Apostles. The consecrated Bread and Wine will be carried in procession to the Altar of Repose (upstairs) and the chapel altar will be stripped of its ornaments as our Lord was stripped of His garments. The service of Tenebrae will be celebrated at the end of the evening.
Good Friday (April 30 at 12 noon) – We will observe the time which our Lord hung on the Cross at this service, which will include the singing of St. John’s Passion Gospel; the veneration of the Cross by the faithful while the choir sings the long chant, the Reproaches; and Communion from the Bread and Wine consecrated the night before. The altar is still bare and we leave the church in silence.
The Paschal Vigil (May 1 at 10PM) – We begin this service outside with the lighting of the Paschal fire; a procession into the church while the Exultet is sung; Scripture readings which tell the story of our redemption; the Blessing of the Water, renewal of Baptism vows, the singing of the Litany of the Saints, and finally the celebration of the Resurrection with the first Mass of Easter.
Easter Day (May 2 at 11AM) – We continue the celebration of the Resurrection in this Mass, preceded by the chant Vidi Aquam while the people are sprinkled with water blessed at the Vigil.
English: Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!
Greek: Christos anesti! Alithos anesti!
Arabic: El Messieh kahm! Hakken kahm!
Russian: Khristos voskrese! Voistinu voskrese!
Amharic: Kristos tenestwal! Bergit tenestwal!
Tagalog: Si Cristo ay nabuhay! Siya nga ay nabuhay!
Read the full April newsletter here.