Palm Sunday 10am Parish Eucharist

Holy week begins on Palm Sunday when we process with our palm crosses, remembering the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The mood changes from one of triumph to sorrow as the passion gospel is read. The Gospel read depends upon the lectionary year. This year Matthew’s Gospel will be read. John’s Gospel is always read on Good Friday.

Chrism Mass York Minster 11.00am

The Chrism Mass is where the Bishop blesses the three holy oils for use throughout the next year. The oils are, the oil of Infirmatum, or the sick, the oil of Catechumen or Baptism and the fragrant oil of Chrism used at Baptism, Confirmation, Ordination and Coronations. The oils are a symbolic link between the ministry of the bishop and his priests. At this Eucharist the clergy reaffirm their commitment to ministry. Everyone is welcome.

THE EASTER TRIDUUM

The Triduum, which means ‘three days’, is the name for the most holy part of the church year. The services of the Triduum are one whole celebration beginning with the Evening Mass of the Lord’s supper on Maundy Thursday and reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil. Each service sheds light on the others and flows to and from them.

Mass of the Last Supper 5pm 

The English word for this day which in other languages is called Holy Thursday is Maundy Thursday from the Latin to command the same root as the modern word ‘mandatory’. In this service we remember Jesus’ ‘new commandment’ to love one another (John 13.34-35). Jesus showed what this love looked like by washing his disciples feet. The second commandment we remember this night is the last supper of Jesus with his disciples before his betrayal. At a Passover meal Jesus took bread and wine and said that they were his body and blood and that we were to do the same in remembrance of him. Yet after this amazing demonstration of love the disciples fled and Jesus was left alone. This year the beginning of the service will take the form of a Passover meal.

Good Friday Liturgy – Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 3pm

The word "Good" originates from the old English "goode" meaning "holy". The church is still in silence from the previous service when at the time of his death we remember the triumph of Jesus’ death upon the cross. St John shows Jesus as ‘reigning from the tree’, ‘This is the King of the Jews’. Knowing that all has been accomplished, he bows his head and gives up his spirit. The service begins with a simple prayer leading into the readings. The prayers that follow based on prayers dating back many centuries follow. The veneration of the cross (a devotion which dates from at least the 4^th Century) follows. Sometimes this is followed by Communion from the sacrament reserved on Maundy Thursday. The service again ends in silence. 

Holy Saturday

Easter Vigil Eucharist 7.45 pm 

This is the original service of Easter. In the very early church there was only one annual feast, an all night vigil where the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus would be celebrated in one. It was Holy Week and Eastertide packed into one night. Only later did the separate services for Good Friday and Maundy Thursday develop.

The Gospel accounts tell us of the finding of the empty tomb early in the morning, the exact time of the resurrection remains a mystery of the night. The service begins in silence and darkness round a new fire from which the Easter or Pascal candle is lit and brought into church. The great Easter proclamation the Exultet is sung and then there is a vigil of readings from the bible which tell the story of faith and God’s saving work through the ages. Originally when the sun rose the next day or more usually during the mystery of the night the Alleluia! Is sung to proclaim the resurrection and the Easter gospel is read. It was during this night that converts to the Christian faith would be baptised after long preparation. Where there is no Baptisms there is a form for the renewal of Baptismal promises follows. The service concludes with the first Eucharist of Easter. The time of the service varies from year to year depending upon the time of sunset.

Easter Sunday Morning

Family Eucharist 10am

The first day of the week, the beginning of the new creation in Christ is celebrated. As we have fasted for forty days so we now begin our festival of fifty days! Alleluia!