This week, Holy Week (beginning yesterday on Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion), is the most sacred week of the Church’s liturgical year. At the climax of this week we celebrate the Sacred Triduum, three days that form a single feast: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil, whereby we participate in the Paschal Mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection. Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, will participate in the following liturgical ceremonies in Armagh during this Holy Week:
- Holy Week Penance Service on Tuesday 16 April in Saint Malachy’s at 7.30pm
- Mass of Chrism on Wednesday 17 April at 7.00pm (Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh)
- Mass of Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday 18 April at 7.00pm (Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh)
- Celebration of the Passion of Our Lord on Good Friday 19 April at 3.00pm (Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh)
- Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday 20 April at 9.00pm (Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh)
- Easter Sunday Mass in Saint Malachy’s Church, Armagh, on 21 April at 10.00am
Notes to editors
- During Holy Week the Church celebrates the mysteries of salvation accomplished by Christ in the last days of his life on earth, beginning with his messianic entrance into Jerusalem. The Lenten season lasts until the beginning of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. The Easter Triduum then begins.
- During the Mass of Chrism, Archbishop Martin will consecrate and bless the Sacred Oils – Chrism, used for Confirmation, and also in the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Orders; the oil of catechumens, also used in Baptism; and the oil of the sick, for the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
- The Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday will commemorate the institution of the Most Holy Eucharist and of the priesthood.
- See details on the 2019 Holy Week and Easter schedules from around the country on the catholicbishops.ie web feature.
ENDS
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