From the Deputy Principal

From the Deputy Principal

Next week is Holy Week, the most important time in the Catholic liturgical calendar.

Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter Sunday. It is the last week of the 40-day season of Lent. It is considered the most holy and most important of all the weeks in the Church’s liturgical calendar because it is in this week that we focus on the last week of Christ’s life, remembering especially His passion, death and resurrection.

 While the season of Lent is a very important time in the Church, it is helpful to remember that our Lenten practices (prayer, fasting and almsgiving) are meant as preparation for Easter.

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday which recalls the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into the city of Jerusalem. This day takes its name from the fact that as Jesus approached Jerusalem on a donkey with a huge crowd that followed Him, carrying palm branches as they praised Him.

This brings us to the Triduum. “Triduum” is a Latin word for “three”. It is the last three days of Lent: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

The evening Mass on Holy Thursday begins the Sacred Triduum. On this night we remember the Last Supper and celebrate the beginnings of the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Holy Orders. At the end of the liturgy, the sanctuary is stripped clean in preparation for the most sombre of feasts, Good Friday.

Good Friday is a sombre remembrance of Jesus’ crucifixion and death on the cross. It is a day of fasting and penance and a time to examine all of the places in our lives where we fail to follow Christ and fall into sin. 

Holy Saturday is a day of mourning, rest and contemplation as we prepare for Easter.

On Easter Sunday we celebrate the risen Lord at Mass with the singing of the Gloria and alleluias, the renewal of baptismal vows, a sprinkling with Easter water and receiving the Eucharist. It is a day to celebrate new life and renew our faith in Jesus Christ.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Easter and a restful break. 

Mr Casey Moore

Deputy Principal