Easter Mass at at St Mary’s Cathedral

By Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese

24 March 2005

HOLY THURSDAY
at St Mary’s Cathedral
 
Thursday 24 March 2005
10.30am – Chrism Mass

The blessing of Sacramental oils will take place at the annual Chrism Mass to be celebrated by Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell on Holy Thursday morning at 10.30am. Cardinal Pell will lead a procession of priests from all the parishes in Sydney.

The Sacramental oils are used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Ordination as well as the Anointing of the Sick and dying.

Parish priests from throughout the Archdiocese of Sydney will gather for this ceremony. Each priest will then take his own set of oils back to his parish for use during the coming liturgical year.

The oil of catechumens (Greek word meaning ‘person under instruction’) symbolises strength and power over evil and is used during Baptism. 

The oil of chrism (Greek word meaning ‘oil of blessing’) is used to show God’s favour at Baptism, in Confirmation, at the ordination of Priests and the blessing of a church.

The oil of the Sick symbolises healing and is used for the anointing of the sick.
 
6.30pm – Mass of the Lord’s Supper
 
The Mass of the Lord’s Supper, commemorating Jesus’ last meal with his apostles, marks the beginning of the three days of Easter celebrations, the Easter Triduum.

During this Mass, Cardinal Pell will wash the feet of members of the congregation as Jesus did to signify that he came as a servant to the world.

At the conclusion of the Mass the Blessed Sacrament is transferred to the altar of repose. Private adoration continues till 9pm.

GOOD FRIDAY
at St Mary’s Cathedral

Friday 25 March 2005
10.00am  – Stations of the Cross

Good Friday commences with Stations of the Cross. The Stations (Way) of the Cross is a solemn procession of prayer at each of the 14 stations, which mark the last hours leading to the death of Jesus.

The Stations of the Cross originated from the practice of Holy Land pilgrims who visited the actual places described in the incidents of the Passion of Christ.

3.00pm  – Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion

The solemn liturgy for Good Friday commemorates the Suffering and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and includes a congregational procession for the Veneration of the Cross. Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, will be presiding at this service.

In honouring the plain wooden cross, the Church is honouring the whole mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Good Friday is a day of fasting and abstinence from eating meat. Today and Ash Wednesday are the only two days of abstinence remaining in the Catholic Church’s calendar.

EASTER CELEBRATIONS
at St Mary’s Cathedral

Saturday 26 March 2005
8.00pm  – Easter Vigil

The Easter Vigil, celebrated by Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, will begin outside the southern entry of the Cathedral with the Blessing of the New Fire. From this fire the Easter Candle is lit. Cardinal Pell will then process the Easter Candle into the darkened Cathedral.

The Vigil symbolises new life and through the ceremony the story of creation unfolds, culminating in the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. Thus the Easter Vigil is the high point of the Church’s year.

The Easter Vigil will have significance for a number of people who will be initiated into the family of the Catholic Church. Their Baptism as adults comes about after months of preparation.
 
Sunday 27 March 2005
7.00am, 9.00am, 10.30am (Choir Mass) and 6.00pm – Easter Sunday Mass
 
The Easter Sunday mass at 10.30am, celebrated by Cardinal George Pell, will be a joyful celebration of the Risen Jesus.

St Mary’s Cathedral Choir, St Mary’s Singers and Cathedral Girl Choristers numbering to 120 voices will lead the singing.  A 30-piece orchestra with musicians drawn from Sydney’s leading orchestras will accompany them.