Holy Week Meditation - The Sins that will be Punished more Severely

"Ecce Homo" by Phillip de Champaign

Picture source

The following is Our Blessed Mother's instructions to Sister Mary of Jesus (Maria de Agreda)

"For in view of the patience and meekness of my most holy Son and my own example, the wicked and all mortals shall be covered with unutterable confusion because t hey have not pardoned each other with fraternal charity.

The sins of hate and vengeance shall be punished with greater severity than other sins on the judgment day; and in t his life these vices will soonest drive away the infinite mercy of God and cause eternal punishment of men, unless they amend in sorrow.

Those that are kind and sweet toward their enemies and persecutors, and who forget injuries, resemble on that account more particularly the incarnate Word:  for Christ always went about seeking to pardon and to load with blessings those who were in sin.  By imitating the charity and the meekness of the Lamb, the soul disposes itself to receive and maintain that noble spirit of charity and love of God and the neighbor, which makes it apt for all the influences of divine grace and benevolence."

Fourth Book of the City of God

12 Ways to Make Holy Week Holy

Photo by Esther G.

Check the list out over at Jean's Blog

Palm Sunday

Photo of Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, Honolulu by Esther G.

Hosanna to the son of David, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Agnus Dei

Why do we continue to inflict such pain on our Lord?

Feast Day of St. Joseph is Moved to March 15th this Year

Picture from Joyce Images and used with permission.

H/T to Sunny

The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has transferred the celebration of the Solemnity of St. Joseph to March 15, since the traditional date of observance—March 19—coincides with Wednesday of Holy Week.

ARTICLE

Holy Week - Palm Sunday

Hosanna, Hosanna to the son of David.
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest,
Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.
Amen.

Hosanna to the son of David (Tomás Luis de Victoria)


These are the palms we received at Mass this morning. My husband made a little cross of one of them.

Today we were pleasantly surprised to hear Father J. chant in Latin. He also chanted the Consecration prayers in Latin. Before the dismissal, he told us to expect more Latin during our liturgies. We may even have a Tridentine Mass maybe once a month or so. He explained that Latin was never supposed to be replaced and only used on some occasions but rather, it was always supposed to be used during the Liturgy with the vernacular used on certain occasions.

Latin has made its way into our parish and from the response of some of the parishioners, we couldn't be more happier. It was a very solemn Mass and it was so beautiful. Again, thanks Father J!

Liturgical Cliff Notes for Holy Week

Mysterium Fidei posted the following as a reminder as we approach Holy Week:

HOLY THURSDAY
Washing of Women's feet is completely forbidden by the Apostolic See. This is reserved to men, preferably twelve of number, thus it symbolizes the twelve apostles. Remember the special prayers for the Roman Canon are adjusted for Holy Thursday.

GOOD FRIDAY
The crucifix should be covered in a red or black material. Also, the baptismal founts are drained on this day until the evening of the Easter Vigil. This is the only day of the liturgical year in which Mass is not, and is prohibited from being celebrated. A Liturgy of the Word with Communion is done by a priest with the special rite prepared in the Sacramentary. Holy Father Benedict XVI permits black to replace the red in the Liturgy of the Word, but red most be work for the Rite of Holy Communion. A cope is appropriate for the Liturgy of the Word, and is permissible for the Communion Rite. This distinguishes Mass from Communion Services.

EASTER VIGIL
Readings should not be cut out. While the rubrics opt for this, it is suggested that all be read. The Easter Vigil is the most important vigil in the Church and the readings "portray the whole history of human salvation, from the time of Adam to Jesus Christ." (PBXXI) Thus, shortening the rite is ridiculous. Remember the special prayers for the Roman Canon are adjusted for this feast day.