Palm Sunday and Holy Week
The holiest of weeks is opened with Palm Sunday as a special gateway into the Paschal Mystery, the celebration of the redemptive act of Jesus Christ. All over the world, Catholics are hearing the story of the Passion and Death of Jesus as we carry palm branches, symbolic of saints entering the kingdom of God. While the residents of ancient Jerusalem cast them on the ground before Jesus, we hold ours as a reminder of our call to follow Christ on His journey.
Some would minimize the week by seeing the events as separate actions unrelated but that is a disservice to faith. The suffering of Jesus at the hands of His persecutors is intimately connected to His victory of resurrection. The sharing of His Eucharist at the Last Supper is an act of preparation of all disciples in all ages to be assured of His enduring presence among us. The act of dying upon the cross opens for us all access to eternal life as He conquers death in His rising in the flesh to eternal life.
I encourage you to participate as fully as possible in the holy days of this week, especially Holy Thursday’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Good Friday’s Service of the Passion, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. These days hold up to us the glory of God’s salvation.
The Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday) will be celebrated at both churches
St. Raphael the Archangel St. Gabriel the Archangel
Holy Thursday, April 17 Holy Thursday, April 17
Morning Prayer 8:00 am Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7:00 pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7:00 pm
Church will remain open until Midnight Church will remain open until Midnight
Good Friday, April 18 Good Friday, April 18
Morning Prayer 8:00 am Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Stations of the Cross at Noon Stations of the Cross at Noon
Passion of the Lord Service 5:30 pm Passion of the Lord Service 3:00 pm
Confessions will be heard after Confessions will be heard after
Holy Saturday, April 19 8:00 pm Holy Saturday, April 19
Morning Prayer 8:00 am Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Easter Vigil 8:00 pm Easter Vigil 8:00 pm
Easter Sunday 7:00 am and 9:00 am Easter Sunday 6:30 , 8:00, 10:00 am
and yes, 5:30 pm Mass on Easter
Easter Sunday “Retired Priests” Collection
Each year on Easter, we ask for your support of the priests in retirement. This collection is used for the parish priests who have served the Archdiocese of St. Louis and are retired from active ministry. Many still assist in parishes on an “as needed” basis. Many others are infirmed and needing more care. Your support helps care for them. Thanks for your support. Envelopes will be at the doors of the church. You may also go to www.archstl.org/retiredpriests for more information.
What to do with palms
Now that you have a palm, some have asked what to do with them. An old custom was to place them behind the crucifix you have in your home as a reminder of our participation in the Sacrifice of Christ. Then, next year as we prepare for Lent, return the old palm to church for proper disposal (burning) and replacing it with next year’s palm. Don’t have a crucifix in the home? Catholic Supply has a wonderful collection or perhaps asking older relatives for one that may have some family history. The crucifix that hung above my parent’s bed is now hanging at my sister’s home as a reminder of their love and faith.