Praying the Beautiful Liturgies of Holy Week
Picking up where we left off last week, I offer you a little of the symbolism of our Good Friday liturgy and the Mass of Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.
Good Friday is, properly speaking, the only day of the Church year in which Mass is not celebrated, since the Eucharistic Prayer is not recited and no bread or wine is consecrated; instead, the Liturgy of Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion, traditionally held at three since it is the hour of Christ’s death on the Cross, consists of a Liturgy of the Word (always with the reading of the Passion according to St. John), solemn petitions, veneration of the Cross, and a communion service using the Eucharistic hosts which were consecrated during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper (on Holy Thursday).
As the Mass of the evening before “concluded” with a procession symbolic of Jesus’ to the Garden of Gethsemane (the Altar of Repose), so now the liturgy of Good Friday begins in complete silence, understanding that what has taken place through the night were the arrest of Jesus and His trials before the Sanhedrin and Pontius Pilate. I say “concluded” because you’ll notice that what is conspicuously absent in the Good Friday liturgy is the traditional opening with the Sign of the Cross and any sort of final blessing—these Triduum liturgies are really like one long liturgy that takes place over three days!
Instead, the liturgy begins as the priest processes into the Church and prostrates himself before the altar, a symbol of Jesus being silently led to His Cross, where He lays down His life for the sins of the world. As a Church, we kneel as the priest prostrates himself—an act of our own veneration as we mark the coming death of Jesus. After the homily, the Church prays a series of “solemn petitions,” spending this time marking the death of Jesus by interceding for all the people of the world, asking that the merits of Christ’s Passion be salvific for one and for all. The priest then processes into the Church with the Cross, inviting all to adore the Cross on which our hung our Salvation. All then come forward with an act of reverence (a kiss or genuflection). After communion takes place and Jesus’ Body is again taken to the Altar of Repose (symbolizing His burial), all leave the church again in complete silence. We are now observing the utter stillness of the world as we contemplate the death of God’s only Son.
Most of Holy Saturday, then, is spent in relative silence—not necessarily on the part of the faithful, but at least as marked by the Church’s liturgical prayer. No Mass is conducted in the morning or even at the normal time of the anticipatory Mass of Sunday. Rather, this is the day in which Christ hallowed the tomb and descended to hell (the place of the dead, who waited for Him to open the gates of Heaven, not the place of damnation!).
Finally, once dark has completely descended, the Church begins its Vigil of Easter. True vigils (from the Latin vigilia, meaning “a night to watch”) in the Church are few and occur only on the eve of particular solemnities (e.g. Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, Ascension, etc.). [Side note: these are not the same as a normal Saturday “vigil” Mass…which isn’t actually a “vigil” at all but an “anticipatory” Mass which anticipates our observance of Sunday.] The Church, at least in the case of Easter, envisions the vigil as an extended period of prayer which takes place during the night, ending near dawn, when the tomb is discovered empty—hence why the Easter Vigil is so “long”…it’s so that we can welcome the news of the Resurrection by praying through the night! That being said, most vigils are conducted just after sundown and last only a couple of hours; still, it is important that there be an “extended” nature to the Church’s prayer this night.
During the Easter Vigil, the Church’s prayer takes on a theme of the Light which shines in the darkness (cf. John 1:5). The darkness, representing death and sin, seems to be all-encompassing; yet, the announcement of “Alleluia” will soon come. As such, Mass starts with the Lucernarium (meaning “light”): a blessing of the Easter fire and the solemn blessing/lighting with the blessed fire of the large Paschal Candle, which is a symbol of Christ. It is then carried into the dark Church, a symbol of the light of the Resurrection dawning upon the world. Slowly, the people are invited to carry their own lit candle, lit from the flame of the Paschal Candle, and light fills the Church—this is the light of Christ given to us in baptism. Once everyone has taken their place in the Church, the Exultet is sung—a proclamation of Easter which beautifully tells of the victory Christ has won for us [I love this text; it’s well worth your time to read through it and pray with it!].
Traditionally, the Liturgy of the Word is extended to include nine readings as the Church recalls essentially the whole of salvation history: from the moment of creation until the moment Christ’s Resurrection redeems fallen humanity. For pastoral reasons, however, these readings can be limited to fewer in number, keeping in mind “the character of the Vigil, which demands an extended period of time, [should be] preserved” (taken from the Roman Missal). After the homily, the Baptismal liturgy begins. Since this is the biggest feast of the Church year and participation in the Resurrection the greatest gift the Church can bestow on her members, this is the night in which all new members of the Church receive their Sacraments. After their Confirmation, the Mass proceeds essentially as normal.
Consider coming—and bringing your families—to our Holy Week Liturgies. I promise you this: you won’t regret it, and there’s no better way to prepare for the glorious days of Easter!
Keep spreading joy!
Fr. Friedel
Thanks to all of our amazing Lenten Service Project volunteers! See you all on Saturday...
From other parishes...
Lent at the Cathedral
Few experiences in our Catholic faith bring more anxiety than going to Confession. But, when we have a profound encounter with God’s mercy in this sacrament, few things in our Catholic faith bring greater peace! Come and learn about how to prepare well to receive this sacrament and so experience the remarkable gift of freedom that the Lord offers us from going to confession.
Daily Mass
Cathedral will again be offering a 12:05 weekday Mass,
Extended Confessions
Cathedral priests will again be offering an extended time for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Friday, April 11 12:30-6:30pm, Saturday, April 12 9:00am -4:30pm.
Summer Immersion Experience with Dominican Sisters in Chicago Single Catholic women ages 18 - 45 are invited to participate in the Dominican Sisters' Service Immersion Experience in Chicago. This unique opportunity allows participants to engage deeply with the mission and ministry of the Dominican Sisters while serving the local community and discerning their own path in faith and service. The event is scheduled for June 21-25. 2025. Participants will have opportunities for prayer, reflection, hands-on service, and conversation about vocation and Gospel justice. Participants will walk alongside the Dominican Sisters, gaining firsthand insight into their charism of prayer, preaching, community life, and service. Complete the interest form at springfieldop.org/summer. Facilitated by several congregations of U.S.-based Dominican Sisters. For more information call Sister Denise Glazik, OP, at 217-787-0481.
Grief Share
Cathedral parish will be hosting Grief Share, a weekly, faith-based, grief support group. If you, or someone you know, would like help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member, or friend, please join us beginning Tuesday, May 6, 1:00-2:30pm in the Cathedral School Library. Grief Share runs for 13 weeks, but guests may join the series at any point and can pick up content they missed during the next cycle. For more information go to https://www.griefshare.org/ or contact Berni Ely @ 899-6637 or jackandberni96@yahoo.com To register call 217/522-3342 or email Vicki at vcompton@cathedral.dio.org All adults, of any or no faith background, are welcome.
Women’s Day of Recollection A Women’s Day of Recollection will be held this coming Thursday, April 24, at Sacred Heart Church (730 S. 12th St., Springfield), from 12:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. There will be a meditation given by a priest, time for silent prayer and reflection, a doctrinal talk, and Benediction. Confession and spiritual direction with the priest will be available. All women throughout the diocese are invited to attend. The spiritual guidance at the Recollection is entrusted to a priest of the Prelature Opus Dei.
