* * *** “Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rab-bo′ni!’ (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'” (Jn 20:16-17)

(“Christ’s Appearance to Mary Magdalene” by Alexander Ivanov)

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“He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linen and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and […]

* * *** “And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.'” (Lk 23:34)

The day of solemn and prayerful remembrance — we mourn the suffering, crucifixion, and death of Jesus Christ, Our Savior.

* * *** “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (1 Cor 11:24)

— The Sacred Triduum begins with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The evening Mass commemorates the principal events that took place during the final meal Jesus shared with his disciples prior to his arrest: Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist and the Priesthood, and also gave us the New Commandment.

* * *** “Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I deliver him to you?’ And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.” (Mt 26:14-16)

— Spy Wednesday marks the day when Jesus was betrayed by Judas, the “spy” for the chief priests. — Today, some churches offer ‘Tenebrae’ (Latin for darkness): solemn service focusing on the story of Christ’s Passion; psalms and readings are chanted by candlelight. For a live Tenebrae Solemn Service this evening, please visit: www.cantius.org

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“Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out: ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! […]

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“And he came to her and said, ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!… He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; […]

“When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife.” (Mt 1:24)

— Today we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary; the highest order of liturgical feast. St. Joseph, so just and humble, was completely obedient to God. As protector of Jesus and Mary, he played an exceptional role in God’s plan of salvation. Saint Joseph is commemorated in the Roman […]

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— Handbook of Prayers – the convenient resource for prayer, reflection, and celebration of the Holy Mass (includes Order of Mass in English and Latin). Makes a thoughtful gift! * 20% savings on select titles, through 2/24/23 * — Please visit: www.theologicalforum.org/Category/127/

* * *** And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:59-60)

— St. Stephen was the first Christian martyr and one of the seven deacons who helped the Apostles. His name is included in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I).

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