Holy Week and Easter 2019
The Vigil of VigilsThe lights are turned off in the church, as we gather around a fire outside. The Easter Candle is lit from the fire and we follow it procession into the darkened church.
Each of us lights a candle from the Easter flame. And the light of those candles spreads around and illuminates the building - a vivid symbol of how, through His death and resurrection, the light of Jesus Christ has overcome the darkness of our world. That is how the Easter Vigil - the 'Vigil of Vigils' - starts. It is like no other service. It is, quite simply, the highpoint of the Church's liturgical year. Our Easter Vigil at Holy Innocents' this year starts at 9 pm on Saturday 20 April. You would be very welcome, if you want to come and experience this special service. During the Vigil, in accordance with age-old tradition, we will welcome into full communion with the Catholic Church a group of adults who have been following our Journey in Faith. One of them, Gin Ng, is being baptised and confirmed. Along with Beryl Croft, who is being received into full communion with the Catholic Church and confirmed, Gin will receive the Eucharist for the first time. And Suzanne Kelly will be confirmed. Many congratulations to all three of them! |
|
Calendar of Masses, other services and events
Palm Sunday - 14 April8 am Mass
10 am Family Mass 5 pm Stations of the Cross led by our young people 6 pm Mass You are invited to stay for refreshments after each Mass this weekend. And we'll have our 'A Listening Ear' volunteers on hand, if you have a problem to share. Or if you want someone to pray with you. |
Palm Sunday processions On Palm Sunday, each Mass starts outside the church (for the 10 am Mass, outside the gates of Holy Innocents’ School). We recall Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and then, carrying our palms, we process into church for Mass. |
The Easter Triduum - 18 to 21 AprilMaundy Thursday - 18 April
8 pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper Good Friday - 19 April 8 am Morning Prayer 9.30 am Children’s Stations of the Cross 10.30 am Walk of Witness, starting at Orpington Methodist Church and ending in the Walnuts 3 pm The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord |
What is the Easter Triduum? The ‘Easter Triduum’ is the three days (that’s what ‘triduum’ means) from the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Maundy Thursday evening to Easter Sunday evening. The same term is also used to refer to the single service in three parts held on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday – the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord and the Easter Vigil. |
|
Holy Saturday - 20 April
9 am Office of Readings and Morning Prayer 9 pm The Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter |
Easter Sunday - 21 April
8 am Mass 10 am Family Mass, followed by an Easter egg hunt |
No 6 pm Mass on either Holy Saturday or Easter Sunday
|
Divine Mercy
We celebrate the Feast of the Divine Mercy on the Sunday after Easter, Sunday 28 April. In preparation, we will be praying the Divine Mercy Novena each day in the church, starting after the 3 pm Solemn Liturgy on Good Friday. More details in the |
|