Saturday, March 31, 2018
Paschal Time
The History of Paschal Time We give the name of Paschal Time to the period between Easter Sunday and the Saturday following Whit Sunday. It is the most sacred portion of the Liturgical year, and the one towards which the whole Cycle converges. We shall easily understand how this is, if we reflect on the […]
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Holy Saturday
Violet & White Double of the First Class A night has passed over the Tomb, wherein lies buried the Body of the Man-God. Death is triumphant in that silent cave, and hold captive Him that gives life to every creature—but his triumph will soon be at an end. The Soldiers may watch, as best they […]
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Friday, March 30, 2018
Good Friday
Black Double of the First Class The Night Office The ceremonies used by the Church for the Office of Tenebræ having been already explained, we deem it unnecessary to repeat our instructions. The reader may refer to them, should he require to refresh his memory. They are given at the entry for Maundy Thursday. Pater […]
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Thursday, March 29, 2018
Maundy Thursday
White Double of the First Class This is the first day of the Azymes, or Feast of the Unleavened Bread. At sunset, the Jews must eat the Pasch in Jerusalem. Jesus is still in Bethania; but he will return to the City before the hour for the Paschal supper. The Law commands this; and, until […]
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Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Saint John Capistran, Confessor
White Semidouble The nearer the Church approaches to the end of her earthly existence, the more she seems to love to enrich her cycle with feasts that recall the glorious past. Indeed, one of the objects of sacred Liturgy is to keep before our minds all that God has done for us. Remember the days […]
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Wednesday in Holy Week: “Spy Wednesday”
Violet Privileged Feria The Chief Priests and the Ancients of the people are met today, in one of the rooms adjoining the Temple, for the purpose of deliberating on the best means of putting Jesus to death. Several plans are discussed. Would it be prudent to lay hands upon him at this season of the […]
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Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Saint John Damascene, Confessor and Doctor of the Church
White Double The faithful have not forgotten that on the first Sunday of Lent the Greeks keep one of their greatest solemnities, that of Orthodoxy. History proves that the Church of Constantinople, the new Rome, did not share the indefectibility of that of the old Rome, for it passed through a cycle of heresies on […]
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Tuesday in Holy Week
Violet Simple Today, again, our Savior sets out in the morning for Jerusalem. His intention is to repair to the temple, and continue his yesterday’s teachings. It is evident that his mission on earth is fast drawing to its close. He says to his Disciples: You know that after two days shall be the Pasch, […]
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Monday, March 26, 2018
Monday in Holy Week
Violet Simple This morning also, Jesus goes with his Disciples to Jerusalem. He is fasting, for the Gospel tells us that he was hungry. He approaches a fig-tree, which is by the wayside; but finds nothing on it, save leaves only. Jesus, wishing to give us an instruction, curses the fig-tree, which immediately withers away. […]
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