Holy Week at St. Paul's
"From early times Christians have observed the week before Easter as a time of special devotion. As the pilgrim Egeria recorded in the late fourth century, Jerusalem contained many sacred places that were sites for devotion and liturgy. Numerous pilgrims to the holy city followed the path of Jesus in his last days. They formed processions, worshipped where Christ suffered and died, and venerated relics. From this beginning evolved the rites we observe today on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. These services provide a liturgical experience of the last days of Jesus' earthly life, as well as the time and events leading up to his resurrection. The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) provides special liturgies for each of these days."
In the Diocese of Massachusetts, our diocesan clergy will make a reaffirmation of ordination vows in the context of a eucharist on the Tuesday of Holy Week.
At St. Paul's we will also have some special times during Holy Week when our church sanctuary will be open for quiet, personal prayer.
"The three holy days, or Triduum, of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday are at the heart of the Holy Week observance. In many Episcopal parishes, the liturgical color for Holy Week from Palm Sunday through Maundy Thursday is red. Holy Week ends at sundown on the Saturday before Easter with the celebration of the Easter Vigil."
~ adapted from An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church
Holy Week Liturgies at St. Paul's 2024:
Palm Sunday | March 24th | Worship at both 8 am and 10 am
At our 10 a.m. service we will begin outdoors on Natick Common and process with palms to the church
Maundy Thursday | March 28th | Worship at 7 pm
On this night we re-enact the primary rituals of Jesus’ last evening with his friends; the foot washing and the Eucharist. And then we witness as the altar is stripped and preparation is made for our time at the foot of the cross.
Good Friday | March 29th | Worship at 12 noon
We gather in quiet prayer to again hear the Passion read, to venerate the cross, and to partake of the reserved Sacrament in community. Following the noontime service, the church will be open for quiet prayer from 1 - 3 p.m. In addition, in our downstairs parish hall during the afternoon (1-3 pm), we'll have a self-guided interactive Way of the Cross activity that will be appropriate for all ages to engage the story of the last days before Easter.
The Great Vigil of Easter | March 30th | Worship at 7 pm
On the eve of Easter, a fire is lit and blessed in the church yard, as we hundle together, lighting the Pascal candle and then our own candles from the New Flame. We chant our way indoors to sit and listen to the stories of God’s people throughout our scripture. And then, with music, bells, and joy, the lights come on and we proclaim the Resurrection and celebrate the first Eucharist of Easter. If one service in the entire year were to attempt to holdthe whole meaning of our faith in a risen Christ, it would be this one.
