Vespers and Benediction of the Blessed SacramentBlessing of eggsBlessing of eggsEaster Sunday Solemn MassEaster Sunday Lauds in our small chapel at the Villa of the Sacred HeartGloria. Statues and paintings are unveiledChant of the Exultet, during which the Paschal Candle is litThe three candles of the three-branched candlestick are lit progressively during the procession of the clergy into the choirEaster Vigil: Blessing of the New FireOur Lord is brought to the altar with the singing of the Vexilla RegisThe Blessed Sacrament is removed from the altar of reposeThe Cross is placed on the steps of the altar to be adoredThe Cross is uncovered gradually, in three stagesThe Choir sings the words of othersChant of the Passion: The Celebrant sings all the words spoken by Our Lord, while the Deacon sings the narrationMass of the PresanctifiedThe last candle is placed behind the altar, disappearing from view, just as Our Lord, the Light of the world, left the world at His death on the Cross. Then the candle reappears, manifesting the Resurrection.Tenebrae of Good FridayAdoration at the altar of reposeStripping of the altarsToward the altar of reposePreaching from the pulpitHoly Thursday MassIn remembrance of the Last Supper where the Holy Eucharist and the Catholic Priesthood were instituted, we share a festive meal wonderfully preparedOnly one candle remains lit because it represents Our Lord who has conquered deathThe altar candles and church lights are extinguished throughout the “Benedictus” at LaudsAt the end of each psalm, a candle is extinguishedLessons sung by the clericsChanting of the psalmesTenebrae of Holy ThursdayResponses sung by the SistersThe knee is bent at the death of our Lord on the CrossChanting of the Passion in three voicesThe Procession stops in front of the closed door of the church. When the door opens, the celebrant will solemnly enter, as Our Lord Jesus Christ triumphantly entered into JerusalemBeginning the ProcessionDistribution of PalmsPalm Sunday
