Our celebration of Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. The Palm Sunday liturgy is one of contrasts. It begins with the blessing of palm fronds and continues with the proclamation of one of the gospel accounts of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Almost as quickly as the ministers arrive in the sanctuary, however, the mood changes. The Scriptures focus us on the Lord’s Passion beginning with a look at the Prophet Isaiah’s “Suffering Servant.” Continuing with a Pauline reflection on the cross, the Liturgy of the Word draws its climax in the proclamation of the Passion narrative from one of the synoptic gospels – this year, St. Matthew. We conclude with the Liturgy of the Eucharist that is all the more poignant given that we have just heard how connected the Last Supper was to the Crucifixion.
We invite you to view the video HERE of the Mass live-streamed from the Cathedral at 10am today. To assist your participation in the liturgy from your homes, you can download and save the Worship Aid/Program HERE. We hope you will feel comfortable joining us in song, in the spoken responses and even taking the part of the Crowd (the sections in Bold Print) in the Passion Narrative.
UPDATED INFORMATION:
In accordance with the new restrictions put in place by Memphis and Shelby County, the palm fronds that are blessed at the beginning of the Mass will be placed on tables outside under the covered entrance of the Cathedral Center. You may stop by to pick up palm for your home any time after 12 Noon until dark. Please have only one member of each household come to obtain palm. Please observe how many people are in the covered area prior to entering. Remember that no more than 10 people should be gathered in one area at any one time. The palm will remain available through Wednesday of Holy Week (daylight only) or while the supply lasts.
The doors of the Cathedral will be open from 12 noon until 6:00pm on Sunday and from 9:00am until 3:00pm on Monday and Tuesday of Holy Week for private prayer. The Cathedral will be closed on Wednesday of Holy Week (April 8) to set-up and prepare for the Triduum and Easter live-streams.