Reminders from the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Worship on Holy Week Celebrations

PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION

On this Day, the blessing of palms takes place during the First Part of the Liturgy when either the First or Second Forms are used:

First Form: The Procession

This takes place in a designated area outside the church. The chosen area must also be at some distance from the Church so that a procession can actually take place. People carry palm branches in their hands, and these are blessed before the procession takes place. After the blessing, the people proceed in procession to the Church, where Mass will continue as usual.

Second Form: The Solemn Entrance

This takes place at the entrance of the Church. The Priest and the Faithful may gather either immediately outside the Church or by the Main Door of the Church. People carry palm branches in their hands, and these are blessed before the procession takes place. After the blessing, the people proceed in procession to the Church, where Mass will continue as usual.

The Palm Branches carried by the faithful on this day may be taken home as a reminder of the Celebration. These are returned to the Church the following year, so that they may be burned in preparation for Ash Wednesday.

HOLY THURSDAY

During this day, the Church commemorates the day when the Lord left us the Eucharist as a memorial of his immense love for all. On this day, the Liturgy sees two additions: the Washing of the Feet and the Procession to the Altar of Repose.

The Washing of the Feet

1. This takes place after the Homily. The Priest removes his chasuble and proceeds to wash the feet of the representatives from the community.
2. The people chosen for this part of the Liturgy must represent a cross-section of the local parish community.
3. The number of individuals is traditionally set at 12, but no actual requirement is given. The number may be less than twelve, but must not exceed it.
4. It must be noted that those whose feet are to be washed do not need to dress up as “apostles” or “disciples”, nor do they need to come from only one particular church ministry (e.g, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). They only need to wear appropriate clothes for Mass.
5. The Blessed Sacrament is reposed. It is not placed in a monstrance, nor is the ciborium left plainly there. It is kept inside the tabernacle, prepared for this purpose. It is locked, and its key is kept by the Priest himself.
6. The safeguarding of the Blessed Sacrament is not entrusted to another minister or to the faithful.
7. After the Liturgy, the Altar is stripped, and all other crosses that have not been veiled are now veiled. If possible, they are taken from their place.
8. The Vigil before the Altar of Repose is characterized by silence. Loudspeakers for prayer leaders are discouraged.
9. Priests are encouraged to hear individual confessions at this time during the vigil.
10. For the Faithful who engage in the pious practice of Visita Iglesia, the visit to the Altar of Repose to spend time in adoration must be given importance. Other pious practices fall secondary to the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

GOOD FRIDAY

On this day, the Church, according to Pious Tradition, does not celebrate the Sacraments except for the Anointing of the Sick and Confession. Mass is not said on this day, and Holy Communion is given only during the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, which comprises three parts: the Liturgy of the Word, the Adoration of the Holy Cross, and Holy Communion.

At the beginning of the Celebration, only the Priest and Deacons prostrate while the rest of the faithful kneel. The Master of Ceremonies, even if he is ordained, does not prostrate.

Liturgy of the Word

During the Reading of the Passion Narrative, this is done without candles, incense, and the usual signing of the book and of the forehead, lips, and chest.

Adoration of the Holy Cross

First Form: The Veiled Cross is taken in procession from the Sacristy to the Sanctuary by the Deacon, accompanied by ministers with lighted candles, or another suitable minister. The Priest, waiting in the Sanctuary, standing before the altar and facing the people, receives the Cross, uncovers a little of its upper part, then the right arm of the Cross, and finally the entire cross.

Every time a part of the cross is unveiled, it is elevated, and the Ecce lignum Crucis (Behold the wood of the Cross) is sung by the priest, or if needed, by another suitable minister. All respond, Come, let us adore. At the end of the singing, all kneel and for a brief moment adore in silence, while the Priest stands and holds the Cross raised. When this form is used, the procession proceeds uninterrupted from the Sacristy to the Sanctuary.

Second Form: The Priest himself or the Deacon goes to the Door of the Church where he receives the UNVEILED CROSS. The procession to the Sanctuary begins, with pauses near the door of the Church, in the middle of the Church, and just before the Sanctuary.

Every time the procession pauses, the cross is lifted, as the Ecce lignum Crucis (Behold the wood of the Cross) is sung with the people making their response. After each response, all kneel for a short while to adore the Holy Cross.

When this Form is used, the cross is already unveiled when it is borne in procession.

1. During this part of the Liturgy, only ONE CROSS is used, bearing the image of the CRUCIFIED CHRIST. This contributes to the full symbolism of the rite.
2. Should individual veneration of the Cross prove to be lengthy, the Priest may, after a small number of the Faithful have individually venerated the Cross, lift it up once more while the people kneel, to allow them to collectively venerate the Cross in silence.
3. After this liturgy, all the Crosses in the church are unveiled or returned to their places, should they have been taken from them.

HOLY SATURDAY

1. On this day, the Church waits at the Lord’s Tomb, meditating on his suffering and death. Fasting and Abstinence are still observed on this day, up until the start of the Easter Vigil, which takes place after nightfall, ending before dawn on Sunday.
2. Everything is done according to the instructions set in the Roman Missal. The following things must also be noted:
3. Before the Liturgy begins, all the images are already unveiled, and all the flowers and decorations are already in place.
4. When the Paschal Candle is placed on its pedestal in the Sanctuary, the lights are turned on except for the Altar Candles.
5. Before the Priest intones the Gloria, the candles must already be lit.
6. During the Easter Vigil, candles are not carried during the reading of the Gospel. This is done only during the Easter Vigil. During the other masses of the Easter Season, candles may be brought by ministers.
7. During the Baptismal Liturgy, those to be baptized are adult catechumens. The Priest administers all the Sacraments of Initiation to the catechumens during the Easter Vigil.
8. The water that is blessed during the Easter Vigil is used only for Baptisms done during the Easter Season and for the rite of sprinkling done during the Easter Vigil. Because of this, there is no need to have a large container filled with water to be blessed during the Easter Vigil.
9. The water blessed during the Easter Vigil is not a sacramental that is given to the Faithful. The Faithful must also be instructed not to bring their own water to be blessed during the Easter Vigil.
10. Should the faithful continue to bring water, the priest may bless it after the Mass using the proper rite prescribed for this sacramental.
11. Those who attend the Easter Vigil already fulfill their Sunday Obligation.