Category Archives: Holy Week

Cry of Abandonment

Posted on 30 March 2024 by catholicsensibility

Image credit: painting by Carl Bloch – http://www.the-athenaeum.org, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25990900 I notice Pope Francis added a station yesterday, omitting the third fall, and substituting one at number eleven. This one is Scriptural. It’s not a full Biblical revision as … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy Week, spirituality | Tagged | 3 Comments

Holy Week Non-Liturgy Events

Posted on 24 March 2024 by catholicsensibility

What non-liturgical events does your parish add to the festivities of Holy Week? My current pastor, being of Polish descent, encourages an Eastern European tradition of blessing Easter Food baskets on Holy Saturday. In that linked article, I read of … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy Week, Parish Life | 1 Comment

Optional Greens

Posted on 23 March 2024 by catholicsensibility

Did you know that palm branches are not required greenery for the last Sunday of Lent? We looked at that a number of years ago here and here. The official word: In this procession the faithful carry palm or other … Continue reading →

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If You Are …

Posted on 16 April 2022 by catholicsensibility

Do we see ourselves in the Scriptures of Holy Week? Or are these Gospel narratives spectator events? I noticed this litany of identifications from the saint our Orthodox sisters and brothers call Gregory the Theologian: If you are a Simon … Continue reading →

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Gather IV Review: Good Friday

Posted on 15 April 2022 by catholicsensibility

In the pages marked “Good Friday” in GIA’s newest edition of the Gather hymnal, we find seven entries specific to the day. As expected, “O Sacred Head” (549) and “Were You There” (554). I doubt you can have a serious … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy Week, Liturgical Music | 3 Comments

Gather IV Review: Holy Thursday

Posted on 14 April 2022 by catholicsensibility

By continuing a review of GIA’s newest edition of the Gather hymnal, I wanted to offer a peek at songs listed by liturgical season. Numbered pieces 444 through 626 would be huge for a single post. So a little bit … Continue reading →

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The Armchair Liturgist Prays Triduum Hours in a Parish

Posted on 13 April 2022 by catholicsensibility

Hours from now till Easter evening: what to do? In my experience, my parishes have done morning prayer on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Usually at the same time as morning Mass. One or two people are often surprised it’s not … Continue reading →

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Saint Basil on Rupture

Posted on 12 April 2022 by catholicsensibility

Today’s Office of Readings offers a reflection from Saint Basil on Christ’s agency in our salvation. In prefacing my remarks on rupture, I want to be clear on some things. I am sure that Catholics, especially prelates, who apply their … Continue reading →

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Testimony

Posted on 9 April 2022 by catholicsensibility

The pastor preached a bit today on the centurion’s witness at Jesus’ death: The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, “This man was innocent beyond doubt.” (Luke 23:47) The word for “innocent” can also be translated … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy Week, Scripture | 3 Comments

Good Friday Update

Posted on 24 March 2022 by catholicsensibility

My archbishop has recommended an eleventh prayer on Good Friday: Let us pray for the people in Ukraine and in all war zones of the world, for those who have fled the dread of violence and have been deprived of … Continue reading →

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Prudence In The Cathedral

Posted on 5 April 2021 by catholicsensibility

I celebrated my first Chrism Mass in over two decades last week. Last time: my parish hosted a Tuesday morning liturgy. It was fun, and an honor. The core of the music ministry was my parish’s resurrection choir. Our guest … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Holy Week | 2 Comments

Scenes From Livestream Prep

Posted on 12 April 2020 by catholicsensibility

You can check: the up-to-eight persons are distanced. Before Holy Thursday: And Holy Saturday, about EV-minus-20 minutes: It looked pretty bright to me, but the video/streaming crew brought in big-time lighting. I can’t watch the replays–my one flaw as a … Continue reading →

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Freeing Souls

Posted on 11 April 2020 by catholicsensibility

So many things to like about this image from the 15th century master. As with all the Orthodox icons I’ve seen, a demon has been crushed under the door. Jesus reaches out a hand to someone. And in this image, … Continue reading →

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The Armchair Liturgist: Good Friday Communion This Year

Posted on 11 April 2020 by catholicsensibility

The question, as of late, has been more me to my boss, “How are you doing?” Yesterday, she beat me to the punch. I was quiet during our Good Friday walk-through, which is unusual for me. I certainly have opinions … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy Week, The Armchair Liturgist | 1 Comment

Washing

Posted on 9 April 2020 by catholicsensibility

I miss the experience of washing feet. Not just this year. I served in a few parishes where my wife, daughter, and I shared the experience of washing and being washed. Other parishioners, too, obviously. Sometimes a few hundred at … Continue reading →

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