Holy Week services at San Marco Catholic Church

By Coastal Breeze News Staff 

The three holy days preceding the Easter celebration constitute the Triduum, Latin for three days. These are the holiest days of the liturgical year and begin with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday evening. The liturgy recalls Our Lord’s Passover when He instituted the Eucharistic Sacrifice, The Last Supper. The celebrant washes the feet of members of the parish, who represent various ministries, as Christ washed the feet of His disciples. At the end of the liturgy, the Eucharist is taken to the altar of Repose, the main altar is stripped and the faithful leave in quiet prayer.

Good Friday is the most solemn day of the Church year. The altar is unadorned. There is no cloth, no candles, no cross. There is no Mass. It is a day of fast and abstinence. All is quiet prayer and a Communion service is held at the hour of His death, with

hosts consecrated at the Holy Thursday Mass. A special presentation of “The Seven Last Words” will take place in the evening. The church will be darkened except for seven lighted candles and a spotlighted Crucifix.

On Saturday evening, the Easter Vigil begins in darkness. Jesus is dead and there is sorrow. The Paschal Candle is lighted and from the one light, candles held by the congregation are lighted until the church is aglow. “Jesus Christ our King is risen…This is our Passover feast when Christ the true lamb was slain, whose blood consecrates the home of all believers.”

• Good Friday, April 6, 3:00 PM Liturgy of The Passion of Our Lord.

• Good Friday, April 6, 7:00 PM Seven Last Words of Christ.

• Holy Saturday, April 7, 8:15 PM Easter Vigil.

• Easter Sunday, April 8, Masses 7:30, 9:00, 10:45 AM and 12:15 PM.

• Masses at Charter Middle School, 9:30 and 11:15 AM.

• Masses at Holy Family in Everglades City, 10:30 AM.