Saint Joseph, celebrated particularly this year, was represented on the Paschal Candle which was entirely decorated by the sistersBenediction of the Blessed SacramentVespersFrench sermonIn the RefectoryBlessing of eggs and breadStation before Holy MassEaster morning breakfastHot chocolate after the Easter VigilAt the Gloria, statues and paintings are uncoveredSolemn Mass of the Easter VigilProstration during the Litany of the Saints...to the baptismal fontDeparture in procession...Traits sung by the sisters between the PropheciesChant of the ExultetOnce the Paschal Candle is lit, the whole church is illuminatedThe Paschal candle, representing Christ, isn’t lit because Christ is lifeless. The darkened church represents the tomb of Christ. The three-branched candlestick is the symbol of the Trinity. The procession to the choir, during which the three candles are lit, represents the entry of the Trinity into the tomb to raise Christ.Blessing of the new fireEaster VigilPreparations for the great and beautiful feast of EasterThe triangular candlestick has as many candles as there are psalms in the Office. Thus, at the end of each psalm, the acolyte extinguishes one candle, except for the last candle. The candles on the altar are extinguished during the singing of the BenedictusChanting of the ResponsesSinging of the PsalmsStation, before entering the choir in processionBefore the Office of Tenebrae on Holy SaturdayThe Celebrant elevates the Blessed Sacrament for adorationThe Blessed Sacrament is taken from the altar of repose. There is no Consecration during the Good Friday Mass because of the Sacrifice of the Cross that takes place on this dayAdoration of the CrossThe Cross of Our Lord is unveiled progressively to the chant of the antiphon "Ecce lignum Crucis": "Here is the wood of the Cross, where the salvation of the world was hung.”All bend the knee at the announcement of the death of Our LordChanting of the PassionMass of the PresanctifiedOur Superiors serve the mealGood Friday lunchAdoration at the altar of reposeGood Friday: Office of Tenebrae. The psalms are sung by the SistersStripping of the altars, because the Real Presence is now only at the altar of reposeAt the end of Mass, the Blessed Sacrament is taken to the altar of reposeHoly Thursday MassThursday lunch is a very important festive meal for us, recalling the Last Supper during which Our Lord instituted the Holy Eucharist and the Catholic PriesthoodThe last lighted candle is hidden behind the altar at the repetition of the antiphon of the Benedictus at Lauds, until the end of Tenebrae when the lit candle reappears, signifying the ResurrectionResponses sung by the SistersLessons sung by the clericsHoly Thursday morning: Office of TenebraeBenediction of the Blessed SacramentSermonChant of the Passion of Our Lord in three voicesHoly MassBeginning the processionDistribution of palmsBlessing of palmsPalm SundayStation before Mass, in the Chapter Hall
