Holy Week, the last week of Lent, traditionally is a time used by Christians as an intense period of prayer and fasting.  It is observed in many churches as a time to commemorate and enact the suffering (Passion) and death of Jesus through various observances and worship services. The church traditionally focuses on the events of the last week of Jesus’ life and incorporates them into the liturgical life of the parish.

The conclusion to the week is called the Easter Triduum. A triduum is a space of three days, usually accompanying a church festival or holy days that are devoted to special prayer and observance. Some liturgical traditions refer to this period as "The Three Days."  The Easter Triduum begins Thursday evening of Holy Week with Eucharist and concludes with evening prayers Easter Sunday.                           

       

 

 

 

 

St. Stephen’s has an expanded liturgical observance of Holy Week. The liturgical week begins with the Celebration of Palm Sunday and continues with services daily on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with Solemn Evening Prayer.  Thursday we celebrate Maundy Thursday, the institution of the Holy Eucharist, wash each others feet and strip the altar before processing with the reserved sacrament to the Altar of Repose. Through the night we meditate and pray as we keep the vigil until the 7:00am Good Friday service. Afterward, the church is open for people to pray and meditate. That evening we observe the power of the Liturgy for Good Friday with the litany, and Veneration of the Cross. On Saturday we celebrate the Easter Vigil complete with the readings of our salvation history, new paschal light, renewal of our Baptismal Covenant and Eucharist. All this in preparation for the Day of Christ’s resurrection, Easter, to prepare us for the reign of love that fills the world.

I invite you to participate as fully as you are able in our liturgical life during this holy week. Live, work and pray the services throughout the week and experience the sacred journey that leads to the fullness of Life. And as we enter the Easter season may you remember and come to experience that you are a new creation, Christ for those to whom Christ will send you.