On Holy Week

Monday through Thursday of Holy Week has precedence over all celebrations. Baptisms, or Confirmations are not celebrated since they have their proper place in the Easter Vigil. Lent concludes before evening prayer on Holy Thursday.

On Palm Sunday & Good Friday, the Passion of the Lord is read without candles, incense greeting, or signing of the book. It may be read by lay readers, with the part of Christ, if possible, reserved to the priest. At the end of the reading, the book is not venerated with a kiss but "The Gospel of the Lord" is said with its response.

A violet or red cloth may drape the cross or crucifix as well as the ambo from Palm Sunday through Good Friday.

Monday of Holy Week

In the Diocese of Trenton, the Bishop celebrates the Chrism Mass at the Co-Cathedral. During this Mass, the Holy Oils are consecrated and the priests renew their priestly commitment. The Holy Oils are brought to the parishes for the celebration of the sacraments.

The Sacred Triduum

During the Triduum, the Eucharist is distributed only during the liturgy, but may be brought to the sick at any hour. On Holy Saturday, the Eucharist is not given before the Easter Vigil. It may be given only as Viaticum (to the dying). Funeral Masses are not permitted, but a Liturgy of the Word with a Rite of Farewell is used. Holy Communion is not given.

Holy Thursday

Only the Mass of the Lord's Supper is permitted. Before the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the tabernacle is entirely empty, and holy water is removed from all fonts (to be refilled with water blessed at the Easter Vigil). The liturgical color for the Mass is white.

The group whose feet are washed should represent a cross-section of the community. By tradition there are twelve, but this number is not required.

A sufficient number of hosts should be consecrated at this Mass for the communion of the clergy and laity at the Mass and for Service on Good Friday. After Communion, a ciborium with hosts for Good Friday is placed on the altar and then after the post communion prayer, it is brought in procession to the place of reposition. This is followed by a period of adoration.

After Mass, the altar is stripped. Crosses should be removed or veiled. Votive candles should not be lit before the images of the saints.

Good Friday

Good Friday is a day of fasting and abstinence, which may continue until thte Easter Vigil. The celebration of Morning Prayer is encouraged. The celebration of the Lord’s Passion and Death takes place about 3:00 o’clock.  The General Intercessions and the chants for the showing and veneration of the cross are always sung. Only one cross is used for the veneration of the faithful. After the liturgy, the altar is stripped. The Cross remains flanked by four candles. The liturgical color is red.

Holy Saturday

The celebration of weddings and other sacraments is forbidden, except for Penance and the Anointing of the Sick. Communion may be given only as “Viaticum” (when one is in danger of death).

The Solemn Vigil is celebrated after nightfall. The customary anticipated Sunday Masses (in our parish, 4:00 and 5:00) are forbidden. Nine readings are assigned for the Liturgy of the Word but these may be reduced to five, with the account from Exodus always being read. The following are always to be sung: the acclamations during the procession of the Easter Candle, the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) the Responsorial Alleluia, and the Acclamation after the blessing of the water. Those receiving communion at the Vigil may also receive on Easter Sunday. The liturgical color is white.

Easter Sunday

On Easter Sunday, the renewal of baptismal promises takes the place of the Creed. On Easter, its Octave, and on Pentecost Sunday, the acclamation “Alleluia, Alleluia” is added the dismissal. Easter is celebrated for fifty days concluding with Pentecost. Throughout this time, the Easter Candle remains in the sanctuary—near the altar or the ambo.