The first Mass of Palm Sunday is being celebrated this evening, marking the beginning of Holy Week. The Gospel of Our Lord's entry into Jerusalem is read at the beginning of Mass, and the Passion (the account of His suffering and death) is read later. Holy Week is the most important time in the Church's calendar. The death and resurrection of Jesus are at the centre of Christian faith, and there celebration rightly takes precedence over everything else. During the week there will be powerful signs in the church: a stark absence of light which will be dispelled by the resurrection; the tabernacle and holy water stoups empty, the stripping of the altars. At the Cathedral, the Thursday of Holy Week is also the date of our biggest annual event: the Diocesan Chrism Mass. More on all of this later in the week. For full details of all Holy Week service times, visit the Lancaster Cathedral website: www.lancastercathedral.org.uk. Saturday 15 March 2008
Holy Week
The first Mass of Palm Sunday is being celebrated this evening, marking the beginning of Holy Week. The Gospel of Our Lord's entry into Jerusalem is read at the beginning of Mass, and the Passion (the account of His suffering and death) is read later. Holy Week is the most important time in the Church's calendar. The death and resurrection of Jesus are at the centre of Christian faith, and there celebration rightly takes precedence over everything else. During the week there will be powerful signs in the church: a stark absence of light which will be dispelled by the resurrection; the tabernacle and holy water stoups empty, the stripping of the altars. At the Cathedral, the Thursday of Holy Week is also the date of our biggest annual event: the Diocesan Chrism Mass. More on all of this later in the week. For full details of all Holy Week service times, visit the Lancaster Cathedral website: www.lancastercathedral.org.uk. 
