Tag: holy thursday

On
Patrick Gorman, For the Catholic Herald

Living the Liturgical Year

Most of us have some sense of the Church’s liturgical year. The priest wears purple during Advent, the sanctuary is filled with poinsettias during the Christmas season (and beyond), and our parishes add extra hours for the Sacrament of Penance during Lent. The life of the Church is ordered around the rhythm of the liturgical year.

Unfortunately, most people’s lives are ordered around a different calendar. School starts every fall, December is packed with too many things to do, travel plans are made when the kids are on spring break, etc.

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On
Chris Lee

Bishop Morlino issues statement on Holy Thursday washing of feet ritual

MADISON — On Thursday, Jan. 21, the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship announced that Pope Francis had issued the declaration that “from now on, the people chosen for the washing of the feet in the Liturgy of Holy Thursday may be selected from all the People of God, and not only men . . . ,” thus changing the rule and allowing women to be among those chosen to have their feet washed during the Holy Thursday ritual for the first time.

As with every change in the ritual or law of the Church, the practices and permissions in the Diocese of Madison will be in full accord with those of the Universal Church.

Upon learning of the announcement, Bishop Robert C. Morlino offered the following statement:

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Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison

Reliving Christ’s Passion, Death, Resurrection

This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop.

Dear friends,

We stand at the threshold of the holiest of weeks, reliving the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

Indeed, the Sacred Triduum — Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday — comprise a microcosm of our whole life lived in Christ.

To enter as fully as possible into the mysteries of these days is to enter more fully into the mysteries of the life of each one of us. For instance, in the fervent celebration of the days of Holy Week, we can come to have an initial grasp of the mystery of why good people suffer.

Meaning of life unveiled

The meaning of life is unveiled by a fervent and serious celebration of the mysteries of these days.

So, please make every effort to be present for the Holy Thursday evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the solemn commemoration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday, and the great Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.

Our churches really should be full (and then some) on these days, because of the gifts of grace available to us at so special a time — and available in a way that they are not otherwise available.

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On
Fr. Don Lange

Consider offering support and prayer for retired priests

To the editor:

In his inspiring Holy Thursday homily, Pope Francis declared, “I ask the Lord Jesus to confirm the priestly joy of those who have already ministered for some years.” He prayed that God gives them a “second wind” to help them faithfully serve.

Our 77-year-young pope continued, “I ask the Lord Jesus to make better known the joy of elderly priests, whether healthy or infirm. It is the joy of the cross, which springs from knowledge that we possess an imperishable treasure in perishable earthen vessels. May these priests find happiness wherever they are.”

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