Dear Parishioners:
How have the Lenten prayer, fasting, and almsgiving been going? Lent ends soon! It officially ends when the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday begins. This is because the Mass of the Lord's Supper ushers in the Sacred Triduum, the liturgical season in its own right and the shortest of the liturgical year.
Jesus Washing Peter’s Feet by Ford Madox Brownn (1821–1893)
As for the Lenten self-denial, we take up (like giving up cigars or sweets) those are voluntary penances we make as personal sacrifices. As voluntary penances, they can be set aside, and we can take a break from them on Sundays and Solemnities during Lent.
That said, Sundays are indeed part of the Lenten season. Only after the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday should we again enjoy the pleasures and goodies we've been fasting from as acts of penance during Lent. However, Good Friday is the next day, a day of devout prayer, strict fasting, and abstinence from meat. It is not a day to indulge in the pleasures and comforts we sacrificed in Lent!
Next Sunday is Palm Sunday, as we celebrate Jesus' triumphant entrance into Jerusalem astride a colt. It anticipates his coming Passion, suffering, and death. The Passion of Our Lord is solemnly proclaimed at all Palm Sunday Masses. We gather in Mercy Park before the 10:30 am Mass for the Solemn Procession of Palms. Palm branches are distributed and blessed at all Masses on Palm Sunday.
Christ Crucified by Diego Velázquez, 1632
The celebration of Palm Sunday begins Holy Week, the most important week of the year. It is a week of great reverence and deep reflection that spans the final days of Jesus's life—from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. It is the most sacred seven days of the Catholic Church.
On Wednesday of Holy Week, Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve apostles, betrayed Jesus, handing Christ over to the high priests and Temple guards for thirty pieces of silver. Judas sought an opportunity to betray Jesus. Since he acted as their spy, this day has become traditionally known as "Spy Wednesday."
At Holy Thursday's Mass of the Lord's Supper, we mark Jesus' institution of the Eucharist and Priesthood at the Last Supper. On Good Friday, we recall the Lord's Passion and Crucifixion with the Stations of the Cross and the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion and Veneration of the Cross. We celebrate the Easter Vigil, the Mother of All Vigils, on Holy Saturday after sunset at 8:00 p.m.!
At this Vigil, we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord and the Sacraments of Initiation. Ten candidates are to be baptized, received into the Catholic Church, and receive the Sacraments of Communion and Confirmation. We pray for them as they continue to prepare for such an important celebration of faith.
As we welcome them into the Church, we must take up our Easter Duty. The Easter Duty is the obligation to go to Confession and receive Holy Communion during Easter. If we already have the good practice of regular Confession and worthy reception of Holy Communion, we can fulfill our Easter Duty without much effort.
Although most Catholics receive Communion frequently throughout the year, including Eastertime, the Easter Duty sets a minimum obligation of once a year for those who do not. Confession is also part of making our Easter Duty. Every Catholic should go to Confession regularly, but at a minimum, at least once a year, they must make a Sacramental confession of their sins.
A Church Interior with Women at the Confessional by Ludwig Passini 1863; Rome, Italy
When considering these sacramental duties, we must recognize that the Church proposes the Easter Duty to help us grow in grace and gain us Heaven. The Easter Duty stems from two related Church laws: to receive the Eucharist at least once a year during the Easter season and to receive absolution in Sacramental Confession for our mortal sins at least once a year.
Saint Pope John Paul II said, "Confession is an act of honesty and courage – an act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God."
We have two guest confessors available for confession this Monday at 6:00 p.m. On the Monday of Holy Week, two Dominican Friars will hear Confessions for two hours beginning at 6:00 p.m. These are great opportunities to fulfill our Easter Duty.
Do good. Be well. God Bless. Remember, Fridays are for Stations of the Cross and Fish and Chips!
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