Holy Week 2020

THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD

After agreeing to baptize Him along with the sinners, John the Baptist looked at Jesus and pointed Him out as the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”. By doing so, he reveals that Jesus is at the same time the suffering Servant who silently allows Himself to be led to the slaughter and who bears the sin of the multitudes, and also the Paschal Lamb, the symbol of Israel’s redemption at the first Passover. Christ’s whole life expresses His mission: “to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #608)

THE SACRED LITURGY DURING HOLY WEEK

During Holy Week, the Church celebrates the mysteries of salvation accomplished by Christ Our Lord in the last days of His life on earth, beginning with His messianic entrance into Jerusalem. The Lenten season lasts until the Thursday of this week. The Easter Triduum begins with the evening Mass of the Lord’s supper and is continued through Good Friday with the celebration of the Passion of our Lord and Holy Saturday, to reach its summit in the Easter Vigil, and concludes with Vespers of Easter Sunday.

PALM SUNDAY

Holy week begins on Palm Sunday, which joins the foretelling of Christ’s regal triumph and proclamation of the Passion.

HOLY THURSDAY – EVENING MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

With the celebration of Mass on the evening of Holy Thursday, the Church begins the Easter Triduum and recalls the Last Supper in which the Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, showing His love for those who were His own in the world, gave His Body and Blood under the species of bread and wine offering to His Father and giving them to the Apostles so that they might partake of Them, and He commanded them and their successors in the priesthood to perpetuate this offering. In this Mass, three mysteries are commemorated: the Institution of the Eucharist, the Institution of the Priesthood, and Christ’s command of brotherly love.

GOOD FRIDAY

On this day, when Christ our Passover was sacrificed, the Church meditates on the Passion of her Lord and Spouse; adores the Cross, commemorates her origin from the side of Christ on the Cross; and intercedes for the salvation of the whole world. On this day, in accordance with ancient tradition, the Church does not celebrate the Eucharist. Good Friday is a day of penance, prayer and fasting be observed as an obligation in the whole Church.

HOLY SATURDAY

The Church is, as it were, at the Lord’s tomb meditating on His Passion and Death and on His descent into the dead awaiting His Resurrection with prayer and fasting.

THE PASCHAL FAST

The Faithful are reminded that the Paschal fast is to be observed on Good Friday. If possible, it should be continued on Holy Saturday. This means abstinence from meat and only one full meal on these days. The law of abstinence from meat binds those who are 14 and older; the law of fasting binds those from 18-59 years of age. By this observance, we shall be prepared to receive the joys of the Lord’s Resurrection with uplifted and responsive hearts.

A Closed, Unsustainable, Descending Loop

As a follow-up to my thoughts on Payette’s payout, here be a stark image of where are here in Canada. As the graph shows in, well, graphic terms, since 2025, the public sector has contributed to 95.5% of economic growth. The private sector – which funds the public sector, or is supposed to – has[…]Continue reading→

Remembering Father Alphonse de Valk

(Today marks the sixth anniversary of the death of Father Alphonse de Valk, C.S.B., a faithful, courageous and indefatigable Basilian priest, pro-life-and-family apostle, and the founder of Catholic Insight magazine. Here is what we wrote those on his entering into eternity five years ago, as we continue to remember him in our prayers and thoughts)[…]Continue reading→

Presidential Pardon of Weronika Krawczyk

As a good news, follow-up to our story from Poland, of the persecution of Weronika Krawczyk for her pro-life views, we heard that she has been granted a presidential pardon. One might still wonder why one needs a presidential pardon for simply holding the long-held belief that the child within the womb is a child,[…]Continue reading→

Pope Leo and a Rosary for Peace

Pope Leo XIV has asked Catholics across the world to join him in a Rosary for peace today, at 18:00 Rome time (6 pm), which would be noon from where I write (EST). If you are able, whether at that time or another, and in whatever way you pray, to join in intercession with the[…]Continue reading→

Payette’s Payout

I was glancing through some headlines, and noticed a mention of Julie Payette – engineer and astronaut and sometime the Queen’s representative in Canada – which brought back vague memories. She was appointed Governor-General by Justin Trudeau in 2017. Ms. Payette resigned in 2021, amidst claims that she created a ‘toxic work environment’, with allegations[…]Continue reading→

Saint Stanislaus of Szczepanów

We celebrate Saint Stanislaus today (+ April 11, 1079), in light of this Easter Octave, a bishop and martyr who accepted the episcopacy only at the direct order of Pope Alexander II. He proved a wise and courageous leader of his flock, put to death by his own king, Boleslaus, for rebuking the monarch’s ‘immoral[…]Continue reading→

Weronika Krawczyk and Injustice in Poland

Catholic Action in Poland has issued a formal statement appealing to the President of the Republic of Poland to pardon Weronika Krawczyk—convicted for warning other women against an abortion-performing gynaecologist. Catholic Action (AK) emphasizes that no apology is owed to a doctor who has performed numerous abortions and proposed others; furthermore, the organization considers the[…]Continue reading→

Three Easter Musical Gems: Bach, Palestrina and Byrd

A very blessed and glorious Easter! Christus surrexit vere, alleluia! As we begin this Easter Octave with the great Solemnity of Easter, music to lift the soul would be one of Bach’s Easter cantatas, composed during his time at Leipzig in the early 1700’s, for the six Sundays of this festive season, leading up to[…]Continue reading→

Saint Isidore of Seville, the Internet and Industriousness

Today, April 4th, muted this year by Holy Saturday, is the commemoration of Saint Isidore of Seville (560-636) a bishop and doctor of the Church during a tumultuous age, when civilization was crumbling, coming apart at its very seams, which may sound sort of au courant. Then again, the form of this world has always[…]Continue reading→

An Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday

The time between Good Friday and Easter Sunday is one of waiting, in silence, as the world wonders – anticipates – what will happen, after the death of Christ. We re-live this time each year in the anamnesis of our liturgy, and in turn look forward to the glorious re-creation of all things at the[…]Continue reading→