Holy Week with Our Shepherd

Palm Sunday

Sunday, April 10
11 a.m.
Live at facebook.com/archdpdx from Cathedral

Palm Sunday is the ancient custom to commemorate the entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem by means of a solemn Procession. If that solemn procession cannot be done at least a simple entrance is made.

Then there is sacred celebration of the Word of God on the messianic entrance and on the Passion of the Lord.
The Ashes for the next year’s Ash Wednesday celebrations are produced by burning the Palms that are blessed at this Mass.

Chrism Mass

Monday, April 11
7 p.m.
Live at facebook.com/archdpdx from Cathedral

The Chrism Mass is so-called since at this celebration the Sacred Chrism is consecrated together with the blessing of the Oil of the catechumens and the Oil of the Sick which are then distributed to all parishes and used for sacramental purposes throughout the whole Archdiocese in the coming year.

The celebration of the Chrism Mass is a particularly important archdiocesan occasion since the Church intends it to be a primary manifestation of the priesthood within the diocese, closely connected with the Lord’s Paschal Mystery and the Last Supper, but also with the celebration of the sacraments and many sacramental rites throughout the Archdiocese over the coming year.

This year, the Chrism Mass will be celebrated by the Archbishop at the Cathedral. Archdiocesan priests are asked to be in attendance via live stream and renew their priestly promises with the Archbishop after the homily.

Tenebrae

Wednesday, April 13
7 p.m.
Live at facebook.com/archdpdx from Cathedral

''Tenebrae ("shadows" or "darkness") is a Holy Week service that is at least 1,000 years old. Originally held after midnight but later held at a variety of times, Tenebrae would be sung each day of the Triduum in a church lit only by 15 candles. These were extinguished one by one until the church was left in darkness. At that point, a loud noise ("strepitus") would be produced-sometimes by slamming a hymnal or other book shut, sometimes by stomping on the floor -symbolizing the earthquake after Christ's death." (Holy Week Traditions: What is Tenebrae?, The Catholic Telegraph online)

Holy Thursday

Mass of the Lord's Supper
Thursday, April 14
5:30 p.m.
Live at facebook.com/archdpdx from Cathedral

With the celebration of Mass on the evening of Holy Thursday the Church begins the Easter Triduum, and recalls the Last Supper, in which the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, loving unto the end his own who were in the world, he offered to the Father his Body and Blood and commanded the Apostles and their successors in the priesthood to perpetuate his offering.

Good Friday

Passion of the Lord
Friday, April 15
5:30 p.m.
Live at facebook.com/archdpdx from Cathedral

On this day, when “Christ our Passover was sacrificed” (1 Cor 5: 7), the Church meditates on the Passion of her Lord and Spouse, venerates the Cross, commemorates her origin from the side of Christ on the Cross (Jn 19:34), and intercedes for the salvation of the whole world.

Holy Saturday

Easter Vigil Mass
Saturday, April 16
8:30 p.m.
Live at facebook.com/archdpdx from Cathedral

The ceremonies of Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil) and the most solemn memorial of the liturgical year. They consist of four parts: Service of the Light, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of Baptism, and Liturgy of the Eucharist.

This “mother of all vigils” is the greatest and most noble of all solemnities and it is to be unique in every single church. On this holy night, the Church keeps watch, celebrating the resurrection of Christ in the sacraments and awaiting his return in glory.

It is the turning point of the Triduum, the Passover of the New Covenant, which marks Christ’s passage from death to life.
 

Easter Sunday

Sunday, April 17
11 a.m.
Live at facebook.com/archdpdx from Cathedral

Mass on Easter Day is to be celebrated with great solemnity. It is appropriate that the Penitential Act on this day take the form of a sprinkling with water blessed at the Vigil, during which the antiphon Vidi aquam, or some other chant of baptismal character should be sung.

The celebration of Easter is prolonged throughout the Easter time and the fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday are celebrated as one feast day, the “great Sunday.”