Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

This is the week. While the celebration of the Sacred Triduum begins with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday evening, as a parish community it is the Living Stations of the Cross as celebrated by the eighth graders from the school that begins our attentiveness to the solemnity of the week. I reminded them, as I now wish to remind all of you that, while this takes on the appearance and character of a theatrical performance, this is instead a prayer. If seeing our students, or your child or grandchild “acting,” was your wish then attending Madagascar, Jr. this weekend was your opportunity.

Wednesday is the prayerful re-presentation of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. This is the core of our faith, and it is the heart of who we are. This is not a play, it is a pilgrimage prayer.

After the Mass of the Lord Supper, Adoration follows in the Hall of Saints – the former Daily Mass Chapel – until Midnight. At 11:45 p.m. we will celebrate Compline, the Night Prayer of the Church, before retiring the Sacrament.

Veneration of the Cross is at 3:00 p.m. on Friday: the traditional hour of the death of Jesus. In the evening we will once again have the Seven Last Words reflection. This is a very powerful and prayerful way to reflect on the words that Jesus utters from the Cross.

This year we are offering a sunrise Mass – 6:30 a.m. on Easter Sunday. The Mass will be celebrated (weather permitting) at the new gazebo in the field next to the school, where the parish carnival is held. Bring your own lawn chair. This will be a quiet Mass – no music will accompany the celebration. The Mass is timed so that the sun will rise around the time of the Proclamation of the Gospel. This is an ancient tradition – we face the East and welcome the resurrection with the rising of the sun.

We are also continuing with the tradition of praying Lauds – Morning Prayer of the Church – each morning of the Triduum at 9:00 a.m. As there is no Mass celebrated on those mornings, this provides a meaningful and prayerful way to begin the day. Of course, the “Nine O’Clocker’s” wouldn’t know what to do otherwise! The eighth grade students will join us on Holy Thursday. At that time the oils consecrated at the Chrism Mass on Monday night, will be placed in the Sanctuary.

Sunday, April 8 is Divine Mercy Sunday. We will pray the chaplet at 3:00 p.m., followed by praise and worship, Confessions, and a closing Mass at 5:00 p.m. Devotion to Jesus under the title of the Divine Mercy, although relatively new, is powerful and transformative. I hope that we will be able to grow this devotion, and especially this specific feast day, in our parish.

As a reminder, the Adoration Chapel is closed from 5:00 p.m. on Holy Thursday until 2:00 p.m. on Easter Sunday.

There are many beautiful traditions in Holy Week and we hope and pray that you will be able to be present with us during the celebrations.

Father Garry