HOLY THURSDAY, GOOD FRIDAY AND HOLY SATURDAY AND EASTER VIGIL

HOLY THURSDAY, GOOD FRIDAY, HOLY SATURDAY

AND EASTER VIGIL

HOLY THURSDAY




The Mass of the Lord’s Supper commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with the Twelve Apostles, the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the priesthood, and the commandment of brotherly love that Jesus gave after washing the feet of his disciples.
All the bells of the church, including altar bells, may be rung during the Gloria in Excelcis Deo of the Mass. The bells and the organ then fall silent until the Gloria at the Easter Vigil [Mat 26: 17-25; Mark 14: 12-21; Luke 22: 7-14; John 13: 21-30]

Picture 80: Jesus in the Hall of Last Supper with bread and glass of wine





The Roman Missal recommends that, if considered pastoral appropriate, the priest should, immediately after the homily, celebrate the rite of washing the feet of an unspecific number of men, customarily twelve, recalling the number of the Apostles . [John 13: 4-14].

Picture 81: Jesus was washing the feet of His disciples









GOOD FRIDAY




Roman Catholic Christian treat Good Friday as a fast day, which is defined as only having one full meal or two small ones. A Catholic Good Friday in the Roman Rite Afternoon services involves a series of reading and meditations, as well as the [sung] reading of the Passion account from the Gospel of John which is often read dramatically, with the priest, one or more readers, and the congregation all taking part.

Picture 82: The Passion of Jesus on the Cross

In the traditional Latin Liturgy, the Passion is read by the priest facing the altar, with three deacons chanting in the sanctuary facing the people. The liturgy consists of three parts in the Roman Rite: The Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion.


HOLY SATURDAY


A day of silence and prayer which commemorates the dead Christ in the tomb. No Mass is celebrated. In some Anglican, Churches, including the Episcopal Church in United States, there is provision from a simple liturgy of the word with readings commemorating the burial of Christ.
The tabernacle is left empty and open.
The celebration of Easter may begin after sundown on what is therefore liturgically Easter Sunday, though still Saturday in the civil calendar.

Picture 83: Holy Saturday to commemorate the dead of Jesus in the Tomb





EASTER VIGIL

The Liturgy begins after sundown on Holy Saturday as the crowed gathers inside the church. In the darkness, a new fire is kindled and blessed by the Priest. This new fire symbolizes the light of salvation and hope that God brought into the world through Christ Resurrection, dispelling the darkness of sin and death.

Picture 84: Eastern Vigil after the sundown on the Holy Saturday

In Roman Catholic tradition, the Easter Vigil consists of four parts:
· The Service of Light
· The liturgy of the Word
· The Liturgy of Baptism. The sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation for new members of the Church and the Renewal of Baptismal Promises by the entire congregation.
· Holy Eucharist.