Holy
Week at the Monastery
Holy Week at the
monastery was indeed a special time for all the
monks here, especially since many of the pandemic
restrictions have been lifted this year. On
Holy Thursday morning through Holy Saturday, we
celebrated the Tenebrae service or “Service of
Darkness” which anticipates and meditates on the
Lord’s suffering. Included in this early
morning service are the singing of the Lamentations
of Jeremiah the Prophet and the lighting and
subsequent extinguishing of the Tenebrae
candles. A special observance of silence
started after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy
Thursday night which gave a fitting atmosphere of
prayer and reflection in the monastery on Good
Friday.
Of course, the high-point of the week was the celebration of Lord’s resurrection at the Easter Vigil Mass. The Liturgy was well attended as the faithful gathered with lit candles, voices of praise and faith invigorated through the celebration of the Pascal Mystery. The other rituals: singing of the Exsultet, the Vigil of Readings and Psalms, along with the blessing of Holy Water and renewal of Baptismal Vows all add to the appropriate solemnity to the occasion. And the Easter Sunday Mass offered another opportunity to gather with God’s people to greet the morning of the Lord’s Resurrection!
Of course, the high-point of the week was the celebration of Lord’s resurrection at the Easter Vigil Mass. The Liturgy was well attended as the faithful gathered with lit candles, voices of praise and faith invigorated through the celebration of the Pascal Mystery. The other rituals: singing of the Exsultet, the Vigil of Readings and Psalms, along with the blessing of Holy Water and renewal of Baptismal Vows all add to the appropriate solemnity to the occasion. And the Easter Sunday Mass offered another opportunity to gather with God’s people to greet the morning of the Lord’s Resurrection!