Order of services for Holy Week
THE EASTER VIGIL
Opening Prayer
Leader: On this most sacred night, in which our Lord Jesus Christ passed over from death to life, the Church calls upon her sons and daughters, scattered throughout the world, to watch and pray, to listen to his word as the sacred mysteries are celebrated, and to share in the sure hope of sharing his triumph over death and living with him in God.
This evening’s Liturgy, uniting us to the Vigil being held in Church, begins with the Exsultet, the song or hymn of praise to the Paschal or Easter Candle which will be lit in Church shortly after 8.30 pm. Before lighting the candle the priest will have prepared it by tracing upon it both the sign of the Cross and the numerals of the year. He will also have marked it with two Greek letters; Alpha for beginning, and Omega for end, signalling Christ the eternal light to whom everything belongs. Once lit, the Paschal candle will be lifted aloft three times. As he does so the priest will proclaim ‘The Light of Christ’ which conquers the darkness
Leader: Christ yesterday and today, the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega. All time belongs to him, and all the ages, to him be glory and power, through every age for ever.
All: May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.
Insert Candle image
Listen to The Exsultet
The Exsultet
Exult, let them exult, the hosts of heaven, exult, let Angel ministers of God exult,
let the trumpet of salvation sound aloud our mighty King’s triumph!
Be glad, let earth be glad, as glory floods her, ablaze with light from her eternal King,
let all corners of the earth be glad, knowing an end to gloom and darkness.
Rejoice, let Mother Church also rejoice, arrayed with the lightning of his glory,
let this holy building shake with joy, filled with the mighty voices of the peoples.
It is truly right and just, with ardent love of mind and heart and with devoted service of our voice, to acclaim our God invisible, the almighty Father, and Jesus Christ, our Lord, his Son, his Only Begotten.
Who for our sake paid Adam’s debt to the eternal Father, and, pouring out his own dear Blood, wiped clean the record of our ancient sinfulness.
These, then, are the feasts of Passover, in which is slain the Lamb, the one true Lamb, whose Blood anoints the doorposts of believers.
This is the night, when once you led our forebears, Israel’s children, from slavery in Egypt and made them pass dry-shod through the Red Sea.
This is the night that with a pillar of fire banished the darkness of sin.
This is the night that even now, throughout the world, sets Christian believers apart from worldly vices and from the gloom of sin, leading them to grace and joining them to his holy ones.
This is the night, when Christ broke the prison-bars of death and rose victorious from the underworld.
Our birth would have been no gain, had we not been redeemed.
O wonder of your humble care for us! O love, O charity beyond all telling, to ransom a slave you gave away your Son!
O truly necessary sin of Adam, destroyed completely by the Death of Christ!
O happy fault that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer!
O truly blessed night, worthy alone to know the time and hour when Christ rose from the underworld!
This is the night of which it is written: The night shall be as bright as day, dazzling is the night for me, and full of gladness.
The sanctifying power of this night dispels wickedness, washes faults away, restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to mourners, drives out hatred, fosters concord, and brings down the mighty.
On this, your night of grace, O holy Father, accept this candle, a solemn offering,
the work of bees and of your servants’ hands, an evening sacrifice of praise,
this gift from your most holy Church.
But now we know the praises of this pillar, which glowing fire ignites for God’s honour,
a fire into many flames divided, yet never dimmed by sharing of its light,
for it is fed by melting wax, drawn out by mother bees to build a torch so precious.
O truly blessed night, when things of heaven are wed to those of earth, and divine to the human.
Therefore, O Lord, we pray you that this candle, hallowed to the honour of your name,
may persevere undimmed, to overcome the darkness of this night.
Receive it as a pleasing fragrance, and let it mingle with the lights of heaven.
May this flame be found still burning by the Morning Star: the one Morning Star who never sets,
Christ your Son, who, coming back from death’s domain, has shed his peaceful light on humanity,
and lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
Leader Now that we have begun our solemn vigil, let us listen with quiet hearts to the Word of God. Let us meditate on how God in past times saved his people and in these, the last days, has sent his Son as our Redeemer. Let us pray that our God may complete the paschal work of salvation by the fullness of redemption.
First reading from the book of Genesis 1:1-22
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” Evening came and morning came—the first day. And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. God called the vault “sky.” Evening came and morning came — the second day.
And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Evening came and morning came — the third day.
And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. Evening came and morning came — the fourth day.
And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” Evening came and morning came — the fifth day.
And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. Evening came and morning came — the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth were completed with all their array. By the seventh day God completed the work he had been doing. He rested on the seventh day after all the work he had been doing
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Response to the First Reading
Listen to the Hymn: The Lord fills the earth with his love, his love, the Lord fills the earth with his love
Leader Almighty ever-living God, who are wonderful in the ordering of all your works, may those you have redeemed understand that there exists nothing more marvellous than the world’s creation in the beginning except that, at the end of the ages, Christ our Passover has been sacrificed. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Second Reading A reading from the book of Exodus 14:15-15:1
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry out to me so? Tell the sons of Israel to march on. For yourself, raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to part the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. I, for my part, will make the hearts of the Egyptians so stubborn that they will follow them. So shall I win myself glory at the expense of Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.”
Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and remained behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. He jammed[a] the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.”
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward] it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.
But the sons of Israel went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.
Then Moses and the Israelites sang in honour of the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, Glorious his triumph.
Thanks be to God
Response to the Reading
Listen to the hymn: Sing to God, a song of Triumph
( can be sung to the tune of Ode to Joy)
Leader: O God, whose ancient wonders remain undimmed in splendour even in our day, for what you once bestowed on a single people, freeing them from Pharaoh’s persecution by the power of your right hand now you bring about as the salvation of the nations through the waters of rebirth, grant, we pray, that the whole world may become children of Abraham and inherit the dignity of Israel’s birthright. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Third reading from the prophet Isaiah (55: 1-11)
Thus says the Lord:
Oh, come, to the water all you who are thirsty; though you have no money, come! Buy corn without money and eat, and at no cost, wine and milk. Why do you spend your money on that what is not bread, and your wages on what fails to satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and you will have good things to eat, and delight yourselves in rich food. Pay attention come to me, listen and your soul will live.
With you I will make an everlasting covenant, out of the favours promised to David. See, I have made of you a witness to the peoples, a leader and a master of the nations. See, you shall summon a nation that you never knew, those unknown shall run to you, for the sake of the Lord your God, of the Holy One of Israel, who will glorify you.
Seek the Lord while he is still to be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked man abandon his ways, and the evil man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, who will take pity on him, to our God, who is rich in forgiving. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways not your ways – it is the Lord who speaks. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eating, so the word that goes out from my mouth does not return to me empty, without carrying out my will and succeeding in what it was sent to do. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Response to the 3rd Reading
Listen to the Hymn: We shall draw water joyfully
Leader Almighty ever-living God, sole hope of the world, who by the preaching of the Prophets unveiled the mysteries of this present age, graciously increase the longing of your people, for only at the prompting of your grace do the faithful progress in any kind of virtue. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Fourth reading
Listen to the 4th reading from the prophet Ezekiel 36:16-28
The word of the Lord was addressed to me as follows: “Son of man, the members of the house of Israel lived in their own land, but they defiled it by their conduct and actions. I then discharged my fury at them for the blood that they had shed in the land, for the idols with which they had defiled it. I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed in foreign countries. In accordance with their ways and their deeds I sentenced them. But when they came to the nations, wherever they came, they profaned my holy name, so that people said of them, ‘These are the people of the Lord, they have been exiled from his land.’ But I have been concerned for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they have gone.
“Therefore say this to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. I mean to display the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will learn that I am the Lord – it is the Lord who speaks– when I display my holiness for your sake before their eyes.
Then I will take you from among the nations and gather you from all the foreign countries and bring you home to your own land. I will pour clean water on you, and you shall be cleansed; and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you a heart of flesh instead. I will put my Spirit within you, and make you keep my laws and sincerely respect my observances. You shall live in the land that I gave to your ancestors.
You shall be my people, and I will be your God.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Listen to the Hymn: As the deer longs for running streams, so I long, so I long, so I long for you.
Leader: O God of unchanging power and eternal light, look with favour on the wondrous mystery of the whole Church and serenely accomplish the work of human salvation, which you planned from all eternity; may the whole world know and see that what was cast down is raised up, what had become old is made new, and all things are restored to integrity through Christ, just as by him they came into being. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
The Gloria
The Gloria is now said or sung. Traditionally bells are rung during the singing of the Gloria. This evening, at home, you may wish to ring some bells as an introduction to the saying or singing of the Gloria.
Glory to God in the highest
And on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise You. We bless You.
We adore You. We glorify You.
We give you thanks
For your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, Almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Begotten Son.
Lord God, Lamb of God,
Son of the Father.
You take away the sin of the world
Have mercy on us;
You take away the sin of the world,
receive our prayer;
You are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
You alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
With the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.
Amen
Leader O God, who make this most sacred night radiant with the glory of the Lord’s Resurrection, stir up in your church a spirit of adoption, so that, renewed in body and mind, we may render you undivided service. Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Epistle
Gloria to God
When we were baptised in Christ Jesus we were baptised in his death. In other words, when we were baptised we went into the tomb with him and joined him in death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father’s glory, we too might live a new life.
If in union with Christ we have imitated his death, we shall also imitate him in his resurrection. We must realise that our former selves have been crucified with him to destroy this sinful body and to free us from the slavery of sin. When a man dies, of course, he has finished with sin.
But we believe that having died with Christ, we shall return to life with him: Christ, as we know, having been raised from the dead will never die again. Death has no power over him any more. When he died, he died, once for all, to sin, so his life now is life with God; and in that way too you must consider yourselves to be dead to sin but alive for God in Christ Jesus.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Reponsorial Psalm
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
For his love has no end
Let the sons of Israel say:
‘His love has no end.’
All: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
The Lord’s right hand has triumphed;
his right hand raised me up.
I shall not die, I shall live
and recount his deeds.
All: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the corner stone.
This is the work of the Lord,
a marvel in our eyes.
All: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
The Gospel
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
After the sabbath, and towards dawn on the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary went to visit the sepulchre. And all at once there was a violent earthquake, for the angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled away the stone and sat on it. His face was like lightning, his robe white as snow. The guards were so shaken, so frightened of him, that they were like dead men. But the angel spoke; and he said to the women, ‘There is no need for you to be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said he would. Come and see the place where he lay, then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has risen from the dead and now he is going before you to Galilee; it is there you will see him.” Now I have told you.’ Filled with awe and great joy the women came quickly away from the tomb and ran to tell the disciples. And there, coming to meet them, was Jesus. ‘Greetings’ he said. And the women came up to him and, falling down before him, clasped his feet. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee; they will see me there.’
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
Homily
Listen to the Homily
They went to the tomb that first Easter morning and the body of Christ is missing. ‘I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified, He is not here,’ says the Angel to Mary of Magdala and the other Mary. The resurrection is not announced by Christ’s appearance, but by his absence and it is the same in all four Gospels. In Mark’s gospel ‘he has risen, he is not here’. In Luke on entering the tomb they ‘discovered that the body of the Lord Jesus was not there’, and again in John, in the Gospel for Easter Sunday itself, Mary of Magdala runs to Peter and John to tell them ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we don’t know where they have put him’. Something has been lost, something has been taken away and in that loss there is the stirring of hope. ‘There is no need for you to be afraid’, says the angel, ‘I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen’.
I am conscious as I write this homily, this reflection, for Easter Sunday that this Easter Sunday will be marked by so many absences. Congregations will not meet, our Churches will stand empty, and where there should be a sense of community, togetherness, presence there will be an absence. And it will be the same in so many homes. Where parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends, neighbours may have gathered for an Easter lunch there will be an absence, and yes in too many homes, there will be an absence because somebody is in hospital or because somebody has died…and in all of this we, and the world, look for Jesus, look for God, just as they did on that first Easter morning.
Yet Christ is absent not for any sinister reason, not for example because someone has stolen his body, but because he is risen, because the tomb in which they lay his dead body, and the stone they rolled across its entrance, could not contain him, because sin, suffering and death have been put to nothing and he has triumphed. In his seeming absence there is the stirring of hope. This is what we recount at Easter, this, as Christians, is what we believe. And this year that Easter message is being told, not so much in our churches, but concretely and vividly, time and again, in our homes and on our streets.
Certainly, we are conscious for now of all that has been taken from us – so many freedoms – but we are also privileged to witness great acts of kindness and compassion, and not least the self-giving, self-sacrifice, of those who are dedicated to the well being of the sick, the dying and the vulnerable. Amidst the absences we experience so keenly, these are all signs of resurrection, all causes for hope, because they are a palpable reminder of what true humanity looks like…and that humanity, that true humanity was made concrete for us in Christ, who has shown us that new life, hope, resurrection – has its beginnings in self-giving, in sacrifice.
In the gospel passage we have just listened to, the women’s fear is turned into joy at the news of Christ’s resurrection; they have yet to see the Lord, this comes at the very end of the gospel passage, but already their lives have been transformed. Few, if any of us, could remain untouched, unchanged, by the events of these past few weeks, and life, when it returns to ‘normal’, will return to a new normal, because we will have been re-shaped by new experiences. For sure, our celebration of Holy Week has been different, but even if we have celebrated it away from our churches, the absences, the suffering and deaths, the self-giving and hope that we have experienced – these are part and parcel of the pascal mystery we celebrate – the life, the death and the resurrection of Christ. Alleluia, the Lord is risen indeed!
Fr Michael
The Renewal of Baptismal Promises
Leader Through the Paschal Mystery we have been buried with Christ in Baptism, so that we may walk with him in newness of life. And so, now that our Lenten observance is concluded, let us renew the promises of Holy Baptism by which we once renounced Satan and his works, and promised to serve God in the holy Catholic Church.
Do you renounce Satan?
Response: I do.
And all his works?
Response: I do.
And all his empty show?
Response: I do.
Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?
Response: I do.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
Response: I do.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
Response: I do.
Leader: May Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has given us new birth by water and the Holy Spirit and bestowed on us forgiveness of our sins, keep us by his grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord, for eternal life. Amen.
Prayers of the Faithful
Leader Let us turn in prayer to the Father, the source of life and the giver of every gift.
Reader Let us pray for the Church; in her proclamation of Christ may she be a beacon of hope to the world at large.
Lord in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
Reader For those in public office, and for the doctors, nurses and carers dedicated to the well being of the sick and vulnerable; that the Lord will bless their decisions and endeavours and protect them in their service.
Lord in your mercy…
Reader For the catechumens and candidates who were to be baptised, received and confirmed this Easter; that the Lord in his goodness will hasten the time when we can be one at his Table in the Eucharist.
Lord in your mercy…
Reader For our parish community, in this time of trial and isolation, may the celebration of Christ’s resurrection be a source of hope and strengthen our resolve to serve him and to love one another (pause)
Lord in your mercy…
Reader For the sick, those at home and those in hospital; that as Christ was restored to life, they may be restored to health.
Lord in your mercy…
Reader For the faithful departed; that with Christ they may rise again. We remember in particular Eileen Drurie, Philomena Lines, Anne Lynch, John Taylor, Mary Jozwiaka and Margaret Sweeny who have died recently, and Mary Bergin, Stan Phillips, Helena Cuneen, Liam Hession, Mary & Michael Flavin, William & Eileen Miller, Robert Bindloss and Neil Bindloss whose anniversaries occur about this time.
Lord in your mercy…
Reader In silence let us bring before the Lord our own intentions.
Reader Calling on the intercession of Mary, Mother of the risen Christ, we say…
Hail Mary…
Leader Heavenly Father, in his triumph over sin and death, Christ – the Way, the Truth and the Life – leads us back to life in you. Mindful of the love which gifted Christ to us, we ask you to grant the prayers we set before you through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Listen to the Communion music: David’s Air
Spiritual Communion
The following words are taken from the preface given for this evening’s Mass. The leader or one of the group is invited to share these words, inviting those who are gathered together to reflect on them.
Leader It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, at all times to acclaim you, O Lord, but on this night above all to laud you yet more gloriously, when Christ our Passover has been sacrificed. For he is the true Lamb who has taken away the sins of the world; by dying he has destroyed our death, and by rising has restored our life. Therefore, overcome with paschal joy, every land, every people exults in your praise and even the heavenly Powers, with the angelic hosts, sing together the unending hymn of your glory, as they acclaim:
All Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
The Lord’s Prayer
Leader: At the Saviour’s command and formed by divine teaching we dare to say
All: Our Father…
An Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul
I cannot receive your Body and Blood at this time, so come spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Listen to a Hymn: Da pacem cordium
Concluding Prayer
Leader Pour out on us, O Lord, the Spirit of your love, and in your kindness make us one in mind and heart.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Leader May the Lord bless us and keep us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life, alleluia, alleluia.
Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia.
Final Hymn
This is the night of new beginnings.
This is the night when heaven meets earth.
This is the night filled with God’s glory,
Promise of our new birth.
Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
This is the night Christ our redeemer
Rose from the grave triumphant and free,
leaving the tomb of evil and darkness,
empty for all to see.
Sing of the hope deeper than dying.
Sing of the power stronger than death.
Sing of the love endless as heaven,
dawning throughout the earth.
Into this world morning is breaking,
All of God’s people, lift up your voice.
Cry out with joy, tell out the story,
all of the earth rejoice.
THE LORD IS TRULY RISEN
ALLELUIA
Thank you to all of those who have helped in putting together the liturgies for Holy Week: our readers, our musicians and singers, those who have worked behind the scenes co-ordinating things, and those with the technical expertise which has enabled us to share all this via the web.
Wishing you, your families and all those dear to you a very HAPPY EASTER.
Fr Michael, Fr Julian and Deacon Steve
Parish Clergy
Good Friday
FRIDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD
This afternoon’s liturgy begins with a period of silence during which the priest in church will lie prostrate on the floor, a reminder of the total self-giving of Christ on the Cross, a self-giving which we recall this and every Good Friday. As you gather together begin with a period of quiet and stillness. After a couple of minutes the leader begins with the opening prayer.
Opening Prayer
Leader: Remember your mercies, O Lord, and with your eternal protection sanctify your servants, for whom Christ your Son, by the shedding of his Blood, established the paschal Mystery. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading from the Prophet Isaiah 52:13-53:12
See, my servant will prosper, he shall be lifted up, exalted, rise to great heights.
As the crowds were appalled on seeing him—so disfigured did he look that he seemed no longer human—so will crowds be astonished at him, and kings stand speechless before him; for they shall see something never told and witness something never heard before: ‘Who could believe what we have heard, and to whom has the power of the Lord been revealed?’
Like a sapling he grew up in front of us, like a root in arid ground. Without beauty, without majesty (we saw him), no looks to attract our eyes; a thing despised and we took no account of him.
And yet ours were the sufferings he bore, ours the sorrows he carried. But we, we thought of him as someone punished, struck by God, and brought low. Yet he was pierced through for our faults, crushed for our sins. On him lies a punishment that brings us peace, and through his wounds we are healed.
We had all gone astray like sheep, each taking his own way, and the Lord burdened him with sins of all of us. Harshly dealt with, he bore it humbly, he never opened his mouth, like a lamb that is led to the slaughter-house, like a sheep that is dumb before its shearers never opening its mouth.
By force and by law he was taken; would anyone plead his cause? Yes, he was torn away from the land of the living; for our faults struck down in death. They gave him a grave with the wicked, a tomb with the rich, though he had done no wrong and there had been no perjury in his mouth. The Lord has been pleased to crush him with suffering. If he offers his life in atonement, he shall see his heirs, he shall have a long life and through him what the Lord wishes will be done.
His soul’s anguish over he shall see the light and be content. By his sufferings shall my servant justify many, taking their faults on himself.
Hence I will grant whole hordes for his tribute, he shall divide the spoil with the mighty, for surrendering himself to death and letting himself be taken for a sinner, while he was bearing the faults of many and praying all the time for sinners.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
Listen to the Psalm
Response: Father, in to your hands I commend my spirit
Second Reading from the letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9
Since in Jesus, the Son of God, we have the supreme high priest who has gone through to the highest heaven, we must never let go of the faith that we have professed. For it is not as if we had a high priest who was incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us; but we have one who has been tempted in every way that we are, though he is without sin. Let us be confident, then, in approaching the throne of grace, that we shall have mercy from him and find grace when we are in need of help.
During his life on earth, he offered up prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of death, and he submitted so humbly that his prayer was heard. Although he was a Son, he learnt to obey through suffering; but having been made perfect, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
Response: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Father, Word of God.
Christ was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross.
But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all names
Gospel
The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (18: 1-19, 42)
HOMILY
Listen to the Homily
THE SOLEMN INTERCESSIONS
Each intercession is introduced, followed by a period of silent prayer, and concludes with a prayer. This Good Friday there is an additional intercession to be offered in times of Pandemic.
Listen to the Intercessions
For Holy Church
Reader: Let us pray for the holy Church of God, that our God and Lord be pleased to give her peace, to guard her and unite her throughout the whole world and grant that, leading our life in tranquility and quiet, we may glorify God the Father almighty.
Short Period of Silent Prayer
Leader: Almighty, ever-living God, who in Christ revealed your glory to all the nations, watch over the works of your mercy, that your Church spread throughout the world, may persevere with steadfast faith in confessing your name. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Pope
Reader: Let us pray for our most Holy Father Pope Francis that our God and Lord, who chose him for the Order of Bishops, may keep him safe and unharmed for the Lord’s holy Church to govern the holy people of God.
Short Period of Silent Prayer
Leader: Almighty ever-living God, by whose decree all things are founded look with favour on our prayers and in your kindness protect the Pope you have chosen for us, that, under him, the Christian people governed by you their maker, may grow in merit by reason of their faith. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
For all orders and degrees of the faithful
Reader: Let us pray also for our Bishop Vincent, for all Bishops, Priests and Deacons of the Church and for the whole of the faithful people.
Short Period of Silent Prayer
Leader: Almighty and ever-living God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is sanctified and governed, hear our humble prayer for your ministers, that, by the gift of your grace, all may serve you faithfully. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the catechumens preparing for baptism
Reader: Let us pray for our catechumens, that out God and Lord may open wide the ears of their inmost hearts and unlock the gates of his mercy, that, having received forgiveness of all their sins through the waters of rebirth, they, too, may be one with Christ Jesus our Lord.
Short Period of Silent Prayer
Leader Almighty ever-living God, who make your Church ever faithful with new offspring, increase the faith and understanding of (our) catechumens, that, reborn in the font of Baptism, they may be added to the number of your adopted children. Amen.
For the unity of Christians
Reader: Let us pray also for all our brothers and sisters who believe in Christ, that our God and Lord may be pleased, as they live the truth, to gather them together and keep them in his one Church.
Short Period of Silent Prayer
Leader: Almighty ever-living God, who gather what is scattered and keep together what you have gathered, look kindly on the flock of your Son, that those whom one Baptism has consecrated may be joined together by integrity of faith and united in the bond of charity. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Jewish people
Reader: Let us pray also for the Jewish people, to whom the Lord our God spoke first, that he may grant them to advance in love of his name and in faithfulness to his covenant.
Short Period of Silent Prayer
Leader: Almighty ever-living God, who bestowed your promises on Abraham and his descendants, graciously hear the prayers of your Church, that the people you first made your own may attain the fullness of redemption. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
For those who do not believe in Christ
Reader: Let us pray for those who do not believe in Christ, that, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, they, too, may enter on the way of salvation.
Short Period of Silent Prayer
Leader: Almighty and ever-living God, grant to those who do not confess Christ that, by walking before you with a sincere heart, they may find the truth and that we ourselves, being constant in mutual love and striving to understand more fully the mystery of your life, may be made more perfect witnesses to your love in the world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
For those who do not believe in God
Reader: Let us pray for those who do not acknowledge God, that, following what is right in sincerity of heart, they may find the way to God himself.
Short Period of Silent Prayer
Leader: Almighty ever-living God, who created all people to seek you always by desiring you and, by finding you, come to rest, grant, we pray, that, despite every harmful obstacle, all may recognise the signs of your fatherly love and witness of the good works done by those who believe in you, and so in gladness confess you, the one true God and Father of our human race. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
For those in public office
Reader: Let us pray also for those in public office, that our God and Lord may direct their minds and hearts according to his will for the true peace and freedom of all.
Short Period of Silent Prayer
Leader: Almighty ever-living God, in whose hand lies every human heart and the rights of peoples, look with favour, we pray, on those who govern with authority over us, and throughout the whole world, the prosperity of peoples, the assurance of peace, and freedom of religion may through your gift be made secure. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the afflicted in time of pandemic
Reader: Let us pray also for all those who suffer the consequences of the current pandemic, that God the Father may grant health to the sick, strength to those who care for them, comfort to families and salvation to all the victims who have died.
Short Period of Silent Prayer
Leader: Almighty ever-living God, only support of our human weakness, look with compassion upon the sorrowful condition of your children who suffer because of this pandemic; relieve the pain of the sick, give strength to those who care for them, welcome into your peace those who have died and, throughout this time of tribulation, grant that we may all find comfort in your merciful love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
For those in tribulation
Reader: Let us pray to God the Father almighty, that he may cleanse the world of all errors, banish disease, drive out hunger, unlock prisons, loosen fetters, granting to travellers safety, to pilgrims return, health to the sick and salvation to the dying
Short Period of silence
Leader: Almighty ever-living God, comfort of mourners, strength of all who toil, may the prayers of those who cry out in any tribulation come before you, that all may rejoice, because in their hour of need your mercy was at hand. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
VENERATION OF THE CROSS
Holding a Cross or Crucifix the leader raises it up and says:
Leader: Behold the wood of the cross, on which hung the salvation of the world
All Come, let us adore.
The leader then places the Cross or a Crucifix in a prominent position
I
Reader: I led you from slavery to freedom but you led your Saviour to the Cross.
All: Answer me! What have I done to you? How have I offended you, my people?
Reader: I led you in a pillar of cloud, but you led your saviour to Pilate’s court.
All: Answer me! What have I done to you? How have I offended you, my people?
Reader: I gave you a royal sceptre, but you gave to me a crown of thorns.
All: Answer me! What have I done to you? How have I offended you, my people?
Reader: I bore you up with manna in the desert, but you struck me down and scourged me.
All: Answer me! What have I done to you? How have I offended you, my people?
Reader: I gave you saving water from the rock, but you gave me gall and vinegar
All: Answer me! What have I done to you? How have I offended you, my people?
Reader: I opened the sea before you, but you opened my side with a spear.
All: Answer me! What have I done to you? How have I offended you, my people?
Reader: I raised you to the height of majesty, but you raised me high on a cross
All: Answer me! What have I done to you? How have I offended you, my people?
Reader: What more could I have done for you, what could I have done for you my people?
Response: Father, I put my life in your hands
II
Listen to ‘Draw me close to the cross’
Draw me close to the cross
To the place of Your love,
To the place where You poured out Your mercy;
Where the river of life
That flows from Your wounded side
Brings refreshing to those who draw near.
Draw me close to Your throne
Where Your majesty is shown,
Where the crown of my life I lay down.
Draw me close to Your side,
Where my heart is satisfied,
Draw me close to You, Lord,
Draw me close.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
Good Friday is the only day of the year when Mass is not celebrated. On Good Friday the faithful would normally receive Holy Communion consecrated the evening before at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. This year there is no opportunity to do so. The invitation is to unite ourselves spiritually to the act of communion being made in Church at this time.
Leader : At the Saviour’s command and formed by divine teaching we dare to say…
All: Our Father…
Listen to ‘Were you there’
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?…
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?…
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?…
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?…
Concluding Prayer
Leader Almighty ever-living God, who have restored us to life by the blessed Death and Resurrection of your Christ, preserve us in the work of your mercy, that, by partaking of this mystery, we may have life unceasingly devoted to you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
There is no formal end to this afternoon’s liturgy which concludes with the following invocation
Leader Lord, may your abundant blessing descend upon us who have honoured the Death of your Son in the hope of their resurrection: may pardon come, comfort be given, holy faith increase, and everlasting redemption be made secure. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Holy Thursday
In light of the Coronavirus and with the suspension of public celebrations of the Mass we are unable to gather as a community to celebrate the Mass of the Last Supper. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated in Church by Fr Julian at 6.00 pm on Maundy Thursday. The following liturgy, to be celebrated at home, draws on both the Prayer of the Church as well as the Scriptures and prayers to be used during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. At home, individually or as families, you are invited to unite yourself to the offering of the Mass in Church as we remember the night on which Jesus called us to serve our brothers and sisters as he gifted to us both the Eucharist and the Order of priesthood.
Opening Hymn
(Can be sung to the tune of When I survey the wondrous cross)
1. The glory of the cross we sing,
The cross of Jesus Christ our Lord,
Who died and rose to set us free
Our way from death to life secured.
2. As once God’s people rested safe,
Protected by a lamb’s own blood,
So we acclaim the sacrifice
Of Jesus Christ the Lamb of God
3. As once the Chosen People passed
From pain to freedom through the sea,
So now baptismal water saves
The chosen, called to liberty.
4. At Passover before he died
Christ Jesus took the bread and wine:
‘This is my body, this my blood,
Do this as my memorial sign.’
5. What once by Jesus was achieved
we celebrate with heart and soul,
Recalling and effecting now
The saving work that makes us whole
The Following the hymn, psalmody or group of psalms, taken from Evening Prayer for Maundy Thursday is recited. Everyone can say this together or it can be said antiphonally with one group of people being side A and one group of people being side B. Pray the psalms reflectively without rushing through.
I
Leader: Christ is the First-born from the dead, the Ruler of the kings of the earth. He has made us a kingdom for his God and Father.
A: O God, give your judgement to the king,
To a king’s son your justice,
That he may judge your people in justice
And your poor in right judgement.
B: May the mountains bring forth peace for the people
And the hills, justice.
May he defend the poor of the people
And save the children of the needy
And crush the oppressor.
A: He shall endure like the sun and the moon
From age to age.
He shall descend like rain on the meadow,
Like raindrops on the earth.
B: In his days justice shall flourish
And peace till the moon fails.
He shall rule from sea to sea,
from the great river to earth’s bounds.
A: Before him his enemies shall fall,
His foes lick the dust.
The kings of Tarshish and the sea coasts
Shall pay him tribute
B: The kings of Sheba and Seba
Shall bring him gifts.
Before him all kings shall fall prostrate,
All nations shall serve him.
ALL: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son
And to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now
And ever shall be
World without end. Amen.
ALL: Christ is the First-born from the dead, the Ruler of the kings of the earth. He has made us a kingdom for his God and Father.
II
Leader: The Lord shall save the poor; from oppression he will rescue their lives.
A: For he shall save the poor when they cry
And the needy who are helpless.
He will have pity on the weak
And save the lives of the poor.
B: From oppression he will rescue their lives,
To him their blood is dear.
Long may he live,
May the gold of Sheba be given him.
They shall pray for him without ceasing
And bless him all the day.
A: May corn be abundant in the land
To the peaks of the mountains.
May its fruit rustle like Lebanon;
May men flourish in the cities
Like grass on the earth.
B: May his name be blessed for ever
And endure like the sun.
Every tribe shall be blessed in him,
All nations bless his name.
A: Blessed be the Lord, God of Israel,
Who alone works wonders,
Ever blessed his glorious name.
Let his glory fill the earth.
Amen! Amen!
ALL: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son
And to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now
And ever shall be
World without end. Amen.
ALL: The Lord shall save the poor; from oppression he will rescue their lives.
III
Leader: The saints have triumphed by the sacrifice of the Lamb, and by the testimony which they uttered.
A: We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
Who are and who were,
That you have taken your great power
And begun to reign.
B: The nations raged,
But your wrath came,
And the time for the dead to be judged,
For rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints,
And those who fear your name,
Both small and great.
A: Now the salvation and the power
And the kingdom of our God
And the authority of his Christ have come,
For the accuser of his brethren has been thrown down,
Who accuses them day and night before our God.
B: And they have conquered him
By the blood of the Lamb
And by the word of their testimony,
For they loved not their lives even unto death.
Rejoice, then, O heaven,
And you that dwell therein.
ALL: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son
And to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now
And ever shall be
World without end. Amen.
All: The saints have triumphed by the sacrifice of the Lamb, and by the testimony which they uttered.
Gloria
We say the Gloria together
Glory to God in the highest
And on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise You. We bless You.
We adore You. We glorify You.
We give you thanks
For your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, Almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Begotten Son.
Lord God, Lamb of God,
Son of the Father.
You take away the sin of the world
Have mercy on us;
You take away the sin of the world,
receive our prayer;
You are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
You alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
With the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
Prayer
O God, who have called us to participate in this most sacred Supper,
in which your Only Begotten Son,
when about to hand himself over to death,
entrusted to the Church a sacrifice new for all eternity,
the banquet of his love, grant, we pray,
that we may draw from so great a mystery,
the fullness of charity and of life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, ‘This month is to be the first of all the others for you, the first month of your year. Speak to the whole community of Israel and say, “On the tenth day of this month each man must take an animal from the flock, one for each family: one animal for each household. If the household is too small to eat the animal, a man must join with his neighbour, the nearest to his house, as the number of persons requires. You must take into account what each can eat in deciding the number for the animal. It must be an animal without blemish, a male one year old; you may take it from either sheep or goats. You must keep it until the fourteenth day of the month when the whole assembly of the community of Israel shall slaughter it between the two evenings. Some of the blood must then be taken and put on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses where it is eaten. That night, the flesh is to be eaten, roasted over the fire; it must be eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. You shall eat like this: with a girdle round your waist, sandals on your feet, a staff in your hand. You shall eat it hastily: it is a Passover in honour of the Lord. That night, I will go through the land of Egypt and strike down all the first-born in the land of Egypt, man and beast alike, and I shall deal out punishment to all the gods of Egypt, I am the Lord. The blood shall serve to mark the houses that you live in. When I see the blood I will pass over you and you shall escape the destroying plague when I strike the land of Egypt. This day is to be a day of remembrance for you, and you must celebrate it as a feast in the Lord’s honour. For all generations you are to declare it a day of festival, for ever.”
The Word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
Listen to the Psalm
Response: Our blessing cup is a communion with the blood of the Lord
2nd Reading from the First letter from St Paul to the Corinthians 11:23-26
For this is what I received from the Lord, and in turn passed on to you: that on the same night that he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread, and thanked God for it and broke it, and he said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this as a memorial of me’. In the same way he took the cup after supper, and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this as a memorial of me’. Until the Lord comes, therefore, every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming his death.
The Word of the Lord
Response: Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
Response: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Son of the Father, Word of God
Gospel :
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (13:1-15)
It was before the festival of the Passover, and Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had always loved those who were his in the world, but now he showed how perfect his love was.
They were at supper, and the devil had already put it into the mind of Judas Iscariot son of Simon, to betray him. Jesus knew that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God, and he got up from table, removed his outer garment and, taking a towel, wrapped it round his waist; he then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand’. ‘Never!’ said Peter ‘You shall never wash my feet’. Jesus replied, ‘If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me’. ‘Then Lord’, said Simon Peter ‘not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!’ Jesus said, ‘No one who has taken a bath needs washing, he is clean all over. You too are clean, though not all of you are’. He knew who was going to betray him, that was why he said, ‘though not all of you are’.
When he had washed their feet and put on his clothes again he went back to the table. ‘Do you understand’, he said, ‘what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you’.
The Gospel of the Lord
Response: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
Homily
Listen to the Homily
The Commandment to Serve
Following the homily and in imitation of what Jesus did, the feet of twelve parishioners are customarily washed by the priest presiding at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
This is how all will know that you are my disciples: if you have love for one another (Jn 13:35)
Reader 1:
By the love of Christ we have been brought together:
Let us find in him our gladness and our pleasure;
May we love him and revere him, God the living,
And in love respect each other with sincere hearts
All: Where true charity is dwelling, God is present there
Reader 2:
So when we as one are gathered all together,
Let us strive to keep our minds free of division;
May there be an end to malice, strife and quarrels,
And let Christ our God be dwelling here among us.
All: Where true charity is dwelling, God is present there
Reader 3:
May your face thus be our vision, bright in glory,
Christ our God, with all the blessed Saints in heaven:
Such delight is pure and faultless, joy unbounded,
Which endures through countless ages
World without end. Amen.
All: Where true charity is dwelling, God is present there
Prayer of the Faithful
Leader: Let us adore our Saviour, who at the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, entrusted to the Church the memorial of his death and resurrection to be celebrated throughout the ages. Confident that he will hear us, we pray:
All: Sanctify the people whom You redeemed by Your blood.
Leader: Christ, our Redeemer, let us share in Your passion by works of penance;
All: Let us attain the glory of Your resurrection.
Leader: Grant us the protection of your Mother, the comforter of the afflicted;
All: May we bring to others the consolation You have given us.
Leader: Unite the faithful to Your passion in times of trouble and distress;
All: Let the power of Your salvation shine forth in their lives.
Leader: You humbled Yourself even to accepting death, death on a cross;
All: grant to your servants obedience and patience.
Leader: Share with the dead your bodily glory;
All: Let us rejoice one day with them in the fellowship of the saints.
The Lord’s Prayer
Leader: At the Saviour’s command and formed by divine teaching we dare to say
All: Our Father…
Spiritual Communion
The following words are taken from the preface given for this evening’s Mass. The leader or one of the group is invited to share these words, inviting those who are gathered together to reflect on them.
For he is the true and eternal Priest, who instituted the pattern of an everlasting sacrifice
and was the first to offer himself as the saving Victim,
commanding us to make this offering as his memorial.
As we eat his flesh that was sacrificed for us, we are made strong,
and as we drink his Blood that was poured out for us,
we are washed clean.
After a suitable interval you are invited to say or sing together the following Eucharistic hymn
1. Godhead here in hiding,
Whom I do adore,
Masked by these bare shadows,
Shape and nothing more,
See, Lord, at thy service
Low lies here a heart
Lost, all lost in wonder
At the God thou art.
2. Seeing, touching, tasting
Are in thee deceived:
How says trusty hearing?
That shall be believed;
What God’s Son has told me,
Take for truth I do;
Truth himself speaks truly
Or there’s nothing true.
3. On the cross thy godhead
Made no sign to men,
Here thy very manhood
Steals from human ken:
Both are my confession,
Both are my belief,
And I pray the prayer
Of the dying thief.
4. I am not like Thomas,
Wounds I cannot see,
But can plainly call thee
Lord and God as he;
Let me to a deeper faith
Daily nearer move,
Daily make me harder
Hope and dearer love.
5. O thou our reminder
Of Christ crucified,
Living Bread, the life of
Us for whom he died,
Lend this life to me then:
Feed and feast my mind,
There be thou the sweetness
Man was meant to find.
6. Bring the tender tale
True of the Pelican;
Bathe me, Jesu Lord,
In what thy bosom ran
Blood whereof a single drop
Has power to win
All the world forgiveness
Of its world of sin.
7. Jesu, whom I look at
Shrouded here below
I beseech thee send me
What I thirst for so,
Some day to gaze on thee
Face to face in light
And be blest for ever
With thy glory’s sight.
Concluding Prayer
Grant, almighty God,
that, just as we are renewed
by the supper of your Son in this present age,
so we may enjoy his banquet for all eternity.
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen.
Following the concluding prayer the Blessed Sacrament is usually processed to the Altar of Repose where we are invited to keep watch.
At the conclusion of this evening’s liturgy you are invited to keep a time of silent prayer hearing Christ’s invitation to watch and pray with him.
Please click here to listen the following reflection
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go yonder and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, thy will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. (Matthew 26:36-45)
The Watch
Listen to My soul is sad
My soul is sad,
my heart is breaking tonight,
Could you not watch,
and comfort me until light
Am I alone?
Surrounded only by night,
Could you not watch one hour with me?
Could you not keep
awake for one hour with me?
Is it so hard
that you should do this for me?
I die for you
that you might always be free.
Could you not watch one hour with me?
And so I weep, and there is no-one to hear,
I am in pain; will no-one witness my tears?
I am your God, and as my passion draws near,
Could you not watch one hour with me?