The sisters receive the blessed palmsThe procession travels through the cloister and then outside before returning to the churchThe procession halts at the door of the church, where there is the solemn alternating chant of “Glory, praise, and honor be to you, Christ, Redeemer and King.”The sisters hold the palms during the chanting of the PassionThe elevation of the MassAdoration in the evening of Palm SundayThe sisters prepare the altar of repose on Holy Thursday before the evening’s liturgyA festive lunch is prepared in honor of the institution of the Priesthood and the Holy EucharistMass on Holy ThursdayThe sisters receive holy CommunionThe Blessed Sacrament is carried in procession to the altar of repose.The Blessed Sacrament will be adored at the altar of repose all night and until Good Friday’s liturgyThe Blessed Sacrament is no longer present at the high altar. It is now stripped bare, in contrast to the richly decorated altar of repose.The altar of repose symbolizes Our Lord in the Garden of Olives.The prayer before the meal on Good FridayOn Good Friday, the superiors serve the mealThe Good Friday liturgy begins with the ministers prostrate before the altarThe chanting of the PassionWhen the death of Our Lord is proclaimed in the reading of the Passion, all kneel a moment in silence.The Cross, having been covered in violet since Passion Sunday, is now unveiledThe sisters sing the traditional chants that represent the anguish of Our Lord during His Passion, including the refrain: “O my people, what have I done to thee? Or wherein have I afflicted thee? Answer me.”The procession approaches the altar of repose, and Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is then carried back to the high altar.There is no consecration on Good Friday. The Host from the altar of repose is elevated for all to adore and only the priest receives Holy Communion.During the Holy Triduum, the night office of matins and the morning office of lauds have a special liturgy, called Tenebrae, made up of psalms, lessons and readings, and sung responses. Here is Tenebrae on Good Friday at the novitiate.The candles are extinguished one by one throughout the liturgy, until the office concludes in darkness.
