Easter weekend
Maundy Thursday
As we approach Holy week and we prepare for the end of lent and the most important few days in the entire church calendar we thought it might be worth giving a brief and very simple overview, whilst most Catholics will be familiar it might help, interested non Catholics, New Converts and Laps Catholic hungry to return.
The first major liturgical activity of the week tends to be Maundy Thursday, here we commemorate our Lord Jesus Christ command to “love one another as I have Loved you” hence the name Maundy which is a derivative of Command in Latin.
During this Mass we contemplate the last supper and also Jesus Betrayal in the Garden by Judas Iscariot.
Good Friday
Today is the day we are all required to abstain from meat and fast, today Our Saviour the Messiah our Lord and Saviour is put to death on the Cross in what seems like defeat but in fact will obtain freedom from bondage for mankind and allow a path to heaven, through the sacrifice of Gods only begotten son we are saved.
Jesus dies on the cross
Today there is no Mass the churches relics, icons and statues are all covered from Passion Sunday, this represents his seemingly going away from us. Today in church the Gospel Passion narrative is read, adoration of the cross occurs, and communion is taken in the new rite, however some Traditional orders do not distribute communion as pre 1955 this was the standard.
Easter Saturday
Mass today is much later than normal, it should be after sundown, it tends to be around 9.30pm this mass is known as the Easter Vigil. Easter Vigil is the first official celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. We will be mediating on the body of Jesus being placed in the tomb today. It is also a day of abstinence from meat and fasting.
Easter Sunday
Today is the culmination of the liturgical year and the day we celebrate the Resuscitation of Jesus Christ, here is the Conquering of death by God. It is a very joyous day which celebrated throughout the world, parades, celebratory meals as a family.