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ARTICLES
Guidelines for Lent and Easter, Part II
Chrism Mass – Monday, April 2
The Chrism Mass will be celebrated on Monday, April 2, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond. Parishes are to properly dispose of their old oils (by burning or burying them in the ground) prior to the Chrism Mass (please do not bring them with you to the Cathedral). Parish representatives should bring three clearly marked containers to the designated spot before the liturgy, and retrieve them afterwards.
Triduum liturgies
Holy Thursday, April 5
Lent ends with the beginning of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which is the principal and only Mass of the day. The tabernacle is emptied before liturgy begins. Communion under both forms is the norm. Enough bread should be consecrated at this Mass for the liturgy of Good Friday as well.
The washing of the feet (mandatum) is an act of humility and service which inspires the community to do the same. The number of people need not be limited to 12, and the feet of both men and women may be washed (CIRCULAR LETTER, 51; USCCB BCL Newsletter, Feb. 1987).
It is appropriate that the oils blessed and consecrated at the Chrism Mass be carried in at the presentation of the gifts. The proper rubrics and prayers for the presentation of the oils are found in the Sacramentary Supplement or on the USCCB liturgy website.
Following the prayer after communion, the Blessed Sacrament is transferred to the place of reposition. The place of reposition should be decorated simply. Under no circumstances is the Blessed Sacrament to be exposed in a monstrance.
The faithful should be encouraged to spend some time in adoration throughout the remainder of the evening. There is no adoration after midnight (CL 55, 56). Under no circumstances is it permitted to reserve the Precious Blood for adoration on Holy Thursday and for distribution on Good Friday (Norms #30).
After Mass, the altar is stripped and the sanctuary is cleared of flowers and adornments. Votive candles should not be lit before the images of saints (CL 57).
Good Friday, April 6
The Liturgy of the Hours, particularly Morning Prayer, is strongly encouraged.
The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, the principal celebration of this day, is traditionally celebrated at 3 p.m. Other devotions, such as the Stations of the Cross, may be celebrated, but should in no way compete with the principal liturgy of the day.
During the Veneration of the Cross, only one cross (preferably a bare cross, not a crucifix) should be used; using additional crosses diminishes the symbolism of the “one” cross as the symbol of victory and salvation.
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Abbreviations
CB — Ceremonial of Bishops
CL — Circular Letter concerning the Preparation and Celebration of the Easter Feasts (Congregation for Divine Worship, 1988)
GIRM — General Instruction to the Roman Missal
Norms for the Celebration and Distribution of Holy Communion under Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the United States of America
OCF — Order of Christian Funerals
RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
RM – Rite of Marriage
RP — Rite of Penance
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Holy Saturday, April 7
The Liturgy of the Hours, particularly Morning Prayer, is strongly encouraged.
The Easter Vigil should begin at a time that allows for new fire to break the darkness of night. Sunset this year will occur at approximately 7:38 pm; therefore, so that it can begin in total darkness, the Easter Vigil may not be scheduled before 8 p.m.
It is recommended that the Exsultet (Easter Proclamation) be sung by one who can do so with grace and beauty. At least three of the seven Old Testament readings should be used, including reading number three from Exodus. The Glory to God should be sung. Communion under both kinds is the norm in the Diocese of Richmond.
Adults and children of catechetical age being baptized or brought into full communion during the Easter Vigil (RCIA 562-594) are to be confirmed by the presiding priest (RCIA 588). Delegation has been given by Bishop DiLorenzo to confirm those baptized uncatechized Catholics who have been part of the Christian initiation process. Questions should be directed to the Office of Worship.
Easter Sunday and the Easter season
The 50 days from Easter Sunday (April 8) to Pentecost (May 27), audibly and visually, are celebrated in joyful exultation as one feast day. The first eight days of the Easter Season make up the Octave of Easter and are celebrated as solemnities of the Lord (CB 371, 373).
The Paschal Candle must be made of wax, never be artificial, be renewed each year, be only one in number, and be of sufficiently large size, so that it may evoke the truth that Christ is the light of the world (CL 82). The Easter candle is lighted for all liturgical celebrations of the season (CB 372). It is not to be extinguished after the Gospel on the solemnity of the Ascension or Pentecost.
At all Masses on Easter Sunday the Renewal of Baptismal Promises and its accompanying sprinkling rite replace the Creed. A Rite of Sprinkling may appropriately replace the more usual Act of Penitence (Penitential Rite) during the Easter Season, at the very least on the Sundays of Easter including Pentecost (Foreword GIRM).
The Ordo reminds us that the Easter Sequence is to be sung or recited before the Alleluia at all Masses on Easter Sunday and is optional during the days of the Octave.
The double Alleluia is added to the sung dismissal formulary during the octave of Easter (CB 373).
Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday), April 15
In a way similar to Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday) or the Fourth Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday), the Second Sunday of Easter bears the additional title of Divine Mercy Sunday. This is not a new solemnity or feast, nor does it celebrate a new or separate mystery of redemption, but rather, it leads into the continuing celebration of God’s mercy during the Easter season.
As the octave day of Easter, the Lectionary readings and prayer texts highlight the mystery of divine compassion that underlies the Church’s Easter faith.
The Easter Candle has pride of place in the liturgical environment. Other images of Christ (including the picture of Merciful Jesus associated with the Divine Mercy Chaplet) are not to replace or diminish the Easter Candle. Such displays may be set up in the devotional areas of the church, never in front of the altar or ambo.
While the overwhelming experience of God’s divine mercy is the foundation of Holy Scripture and the teachings of the Church, the apparitions of Christ recorded by Saint Faustina remain in the category of private revelation. Members of the faithful may embrace this devotion and adopt its disciplines of prayer, and devotional prayer times may be arranged on that day, as one would for the Stations of the Cross.
The solemn celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours for the Second Sunday of Easter has a special place that day. No extra Mass should be celebrated, nor the Sacrament of Penance be offered on that day. No added prayers such as the Divine Mercy chaplet should be joined to the celebration of Mass.
Ascension, Sunday, May 20
In the Province of Baltimore, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord has been transferred from Thursday to Sunday; therefore, for the Catholic churches in the Diocese of Richmond, the Seventh Sunday of Easter is always to be replaced by the solemnity of the Ascension. For 2007, it will be celebrated on Sunday, May 20.
Pentecost, May 27
Pentecost is celebrated on May 27. The Sequence of Pentecost is sung or recited before the Alleluia at all Masses except when the vigil readings are used. After Pentecost, the Easter candle is returned to its place near the baptismal font. It is not extinguished after the Gospel of either Ascension or Pentecost.
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