Archdiocese of Newark shares liturgy schedules during Lenten season

The Archdiocese of Newark shares the schedule of liturgies in observance of Lenten season. (Photo by Michael Morse from Pexels)

The Archdiocese of Newark shared the schedule of liturgies from Sunday, April 2, to Saturday, April 8, in observance of the Lenten season in various churches across the archdiocese.

Liturgy Services on Lenten Season

According to the Jersey Catholic, approximately 1.3 million Catholics attending services at one of the Archdiocese of Newark's 212 Catholic parishes in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties will observe the days leading up to Easter Sunday with a variety of liturgies.

As reported, Christians worldwide will observe the Holy Week to commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin will preside liturgies across the archdiocese. Specifically, he will be the priest celebrant on Palm Sunday, April 2, at 12:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Ridgewood; on Holy Thursday, April 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart; on Good Friday, April 7,  at 3 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart; and on Easter Vigil, April 8, Easter Vigil at 8:30 p.m. in the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

The liturgies on Holy Thursday and Good Friday are called "Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper" and "Celebration of the Passion of the Lord," respectively.

In addition, the practice of offering consecrated wine, also known as the Blood of Christ, during the celebration of Mass in the Archdiocese of Newark will resume on Holy Thursday, Apr. 6.

The practice had been put on hold since 2020 due to worries about COVID-19 and safety constraints. 

Throughout the last three years, only priests have been permitted to receive Communion from the cup when the congregation attends Mass. 

The instruction also requires the archdiocese to stop any pandemic-related limits or adjustments that are now in place and to encourage a renewed richness in the liturgical festivities.

Holy Week

Per Catholic Online, Holy Week is the week before Easter Sunday and begins seven days before Palm Sunday. Easter Sunday is the culmination of Holy Week.

Easter is not considered a part of Holy Week; instead, it observes the beginning of the Easter season kept throughout the liturgical year.

Palm Sunday reportedly marks the beginning of Holy Week. Christians celebrate the triumphal entry of the Savior, Jesus Christ, into Jerusalem on that day.

At the event's celebration, palms are given out to the devout, who are encouraged to preserve them for a while and utilize them as objects of devotion.

Moreover, on Holy Thursday, Jesus and His disciples gathered to observe the Passover feast. The meal is commonly referred to as the "Last Supper." On that night, He was betrayed by Judas and jailed by the authorities.

The day after tomorrow is Good Friday, and on this day, Christians remember the judgment, punishment, and crucifixion of Our Jesus on the cross.

On Holy Saturday, people remember that Jesus went to hell, where He taught the Gospel to those who had died in the past and opened the road to heaven for all who deserved it. The event is called "the descent of Jesus into hell."

It brings an end to Holy Week. The day after Good Friday is Easter Sunday, the day on which it was found that the tomb was empty and the day on which Jesus was raised, victorious over death once and for all.


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