Father Hathaway’s Column — March 24, 2024

Posted on March 23, 2024

PALM SUNDAY, HOLY WEEK & THE SACRED TRIDUUM

Today, Palm Sunday, we enter Holy Week, the summit of the entire liturgical year and a combination of both great joy and great sorrow. We rejoice in the cries of “Hosanna!” greeting Jesus as He triumphantly arrives in Jerusalem. Yet, in just few days, in that same city, He will be nailed to the cross, suffer terribly and die for our sins.

We begin the Sacred Triduum on Holy Thursday, March 28, with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7 p.m. This Mass commemorates the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood. We are reminded of the call to serve others as we recreate Jesus’ final, humble act of service to His Disciples in the washing of their feet. The day’s Mass readings focus on the continuity of the ancient Jewish Passover and the Eucharist. The Passover meal marked the transition of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt to the freedom of the exodus; the Eucharist is the meal that marks our transition from slavery to sin to the glorious freedom of the children of God.

We celebrate the Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion at 3 p.m. on Good Friday, March 29. It is the only major annual liturgical celebration that is not a Mass with consecration of the Holy Eucharist. However, we do receive Communion that day using Hosts consecrated the previous day. Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 7 p.m.

We celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord at the Solemn Easter Vigil at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 30. This is arguably the greatest Eucharistic liturgy in the Church’s calendar. It is the longest Catholic liturgy (more than two hours!) and contains the most readings, which present an overview of salvation history and the Gospels within one celebration.

Please join us for these beautiful, moving Holy Week liturgies. Your Lenten fasting and self-denial now can be directed toward the highest point of the Church year: Christ’s Resurrection. It ranks first because our entire Christian faith hinges on it! And please take advantage of the additional confession times this week. (See the flyer in this weeks bulletin and at the back of the Basilica for more details.)

GUIDELINES FOR RECEIVING COMMUNION

Since we traditionally welcome many visitors, Catholic and non-Catholic, to the Basilica for Holy Week and Easter, it is a good time to review the guidelines for receiving Communion so we can respectfully guide others who may not be familiar with Catholic beliefs and practices.

For Catholics. Catholics fully participate in celebrating the Holy Eucharist when receiving Communion devoutly and frequently. To be properly disposed to receive Communion, we should not be conscious of any grave (mortal) sin and should have fasted for one hour. A person conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of Christ without first going to confession, except for a rare, extreme reason (e.g., danger of death) with no opportunity for confession.
For Our Fellow Christians. Because Catholics believe the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of our faith, life and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion.
For Non-Christians. While we cannot admit to Holy Communion those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ, we ask them to pray for the peace and unity of the human family as others receive Communion.

(See the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops website at https://bit.ly/44bJ123 for more information.)