Yesterday Holy Week began. We are invited to walk with Jesus during these days.

Monday of Holy Week is the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles at 6:45 p.m. I was so excited to go to the Chrism Mass after several years of not going. Bishops, hundreds of priests, deacons, and people were there from parishes from all around our Archdiocese. At one point in the Mass the priests renewed their vows.

It’s called the Chrism Mass because the sacred oils used for our Sacraments are blessed and are available for the hundreds of parishes of the Archdiocese to take each year.

Wednesday is a Tenebrae Service at 7:30 p.m. in our church.

It is an ancient service, which increases darkness by gradually extinguishing candles to symbolize the coming darkness of Jesus’ death, with a loud noise at the end. "Tenebrae" is the Latin word meaning "darkness." It is a unique way to walk with Jesus through your senses, hearing prayers, seeing light go to darkness, and hearing sounds.

Holy Thursday is the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30 p.m. in our church. At the beginning of this Mass the sacred oils are presented that were brought to our parish from the Chrism Mass on Monday. During Mass our priests and deacon wash the feet of 12 parishioners like Jesus washed the feet of His apostles. We will celebrate how Jesus gave Himself to us in the Eucharist, and Mass will end with a procession to the West Hall with the Eucharist to what is called The Altar of Repose. It is decorated with plants and flowers, and we can pray there until midnight – staying with Jesus during His Agony in the Garden.

Good Friday the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion is at noon, or 5 p.m., or 7:30 p.m. in the church. We will hear the story of Jesus’ Passion and Death, venerate (honor) the cross, and receive Holy Communion.

At 1:45 p.m. is The Seven Last Words in the church. This is another unique way to walk with Jesus hearing the stories of different people who were at His Passion and Death.

Holy Saturday is the Easter Vigil Mass at 7:30 p.m. in our church. On this holy night, the Church keeps watch, celebrating the resurrection of Christ in the sacraments and awaiting His return in glory. It begins with a roaring fire out on the plaza, which breaks the darkness. Father will bless the fire and from it the Paschal Candle will be lit, along with handheld candles we will all be carrying into the dark church. We will hear the stories of our faith that all lead to God’s love for you and me – the sacrifice of His Son and Jesus’ resurrection. It’s an incredible Mass!

Easter Sunday Masses are 8 and 10 a.m., noon, and 12:30 p.m. in Spanish in the West Hall. There will be an Easter Egg Hunt on the West Lawn at 1:30 p.m.

You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised… Mark 16:6

Yesterday began Holy Week.

Join me in walking with Jesus by coming to these services.