Guide fr: Lent, the Chrism Mass, Hly Week, the Paschal Triduum, the Easter Seasn, and Pentecst TABLE OF CONTENTS (page number) LENT (7) The Length f Lent Fast and Abstinence Regulatins Flwers decrating the altar and musical accmpaniment during Lent (8) The practice f remving Hly Water frm the church building s fnts during Lent The Alleluia during Lent Masses Celebrated during Lent Ash Wednesday (9) First Sunday f Lent --Rite f Sending Catechumens fr Electin[and Candidates fr Recgnitin] --Rite f Electin/Call t Cntinuing Cnversin Third Sunday f Lent --First Scrutiny Furth Sunday f Lent [r Laetare Sunday] (10) --Secnd Scrutiny Fifth Sunday f Lent --Third Scrutiny The Veiling/Cvering f Images and Crsses 1
CHRISM MASS (11) The Chrism Mass Crrectly Dispsing f Last Year s Oils and the Plastic Oil Bttles If the Parish is in Danger f Running Out f the Hly Oils Receiving the Hly Oils Rite f Receptin f Hly Oils (13) Other celebratins during Hly Week The Paschal Fast HOLY WEEK (14) Palm Sunday f the Passin f the Lrd Recalling the Messianic entrance f Christ the Lrd int Jerusalem --The Prcessin --The Slemn Entrance --The Simple Entrance The narrative f the Lrd s Passin (15) The Creed and the Prayer f the Faithful (Universal Prayer) THE SACRED PASCHAL TRIDUUM Hw des ne prnunce the Latin wrd triduum, and what des it mean? When des the Paschal (r Easter) Triduum begin and end? The imprtance and the unity f the Paschal Triduum The Paschal Fast (16) Hw may clustered parishes celebrate the Paschal Triduum? D all the liturgies have t be celebrated in the same church building? Hly Thursday s Celebratin f the Mass f the Lrd s Supper and Gd Friday s Celebratin f the Passin f the Lrd taking place in the same church building. In a nn-clustered parish, r in a parish cluster, may mre than ne Celebratin f the Lrd s Passin n Gd Friday take place? (17) In a parish cluster, culd mre than ne Easter Vigil be celebrated at different sites? Perpetual Expsitin and Slemn Adratin f the Blessed Sacrament 2
Hly Thursday Remval f Hly Water Time f celebratin and thse wh shuld be in attendance Distributin f Hly Cmmunin (18) Altar decratins, cntents f the tabernacle, and planning ahead fr distributin f Hly Cmmunin n Gd Friday The singing f the Glria, the use f bells May anther Mass besides the Mass f the Lrd s Supper be celebrated n Hly Thursday? Hly Thursday s Celebratin f the Mass f the Lrd s Supper and Gd Friday s Celebratin f the Passin f the Lrd taking place in the same church building. The Ft Washing (Mandatum) n Hly Thursday s Mass f the Lrd s Supper (19) Is the washing f feet at the Mass f the Lrd s Supper required? The Transfer f the Mst Blessed Sacrament Stripping the altar/remving r cvering crsses (20) Expsitin f the Blessed Sacrament n Hly Thursday Length f the Time f Adratin n Hly Thursday Night (21) Gd Friday Celebratin f the Sacraments Distributin f Hly Cmmunin The Paschal Fast Des the Church encurage any ther liturgical celebratins n Gd Friday? D ther devtins have a particular imprtance n Gd Friday? (22) In a nn-clustered parish, r in a parish cluster, may mre than ne Celebratin f the Lrd s Passin n Gd Friday take place? May a Deacn [r a lay leader f prayer] fficiate at the Celebratin f the Lrd s Passin n Gd Friday? When shuld the Gd Friday Celebratin f the Lrd s Passin take place? (23) The Slemn Intercessins (24) Hw des the Adratin f the Hly Crss n Gd Friday begin? --First Frm --Secnd Frm Hw is the crss venerated by members f the cngregatin n Gd Friday? (25) Sngs during adratin (26) At the cnclusin f adratin Preparatins fr Hly Cmmunin When Cmmunin has been cmpleted 3
Hly Saturday (27) The special character f Hly Saturday and the blessing f fd The Paschal Fast Besides the celebratin f the Easter Vigil, des the Church encurage any ther liturgical celebratins n Hly Saturday? Preparatins fr the celebratin f the Initiatin Sacraments at the Easter Vigil Sacraments f Initiatin (28) The Easter Vigil in the Hly Night (29) In a parish cluster, culd mre than ne Easter Vigil be celebrated at different sites? Time the Easter Vigil shuld begin --The Easter Vigil takes place during the night --The Easter Vigil is nt an anticipated Mass 45 minutes after sunset (30) The Service f Light A blazing fire If a blazing fire is nt pssible Blessing the fire The Paschal (Easter) Candle itself (31) In the case f missin churches and cluster parishes, can multiple paschal candles be used fr the Service f Light? The Preparatin f the Paschal Candle Incense placed in thurible (32) Prcessin frmed Stpping the prcessin t sing, The light f Christ Paschal candle placed in its stand Lights are turned n Deacn asks fr blessing and incenses text f Prclamatin and the Paschal candle A lay cantr may sing the Easter prclamatin (33) Liturgy f the Wrd Hw many readings shuld be prclaimed at the Easter Vigil? Singing the Glria Bells rung Cllect Prayer Epistle Singing the Alleluia N lights carried 4
Liturgy f Baptism (34) Cnsult yur RCIA ritual bk After the Hmily the Baptismal Liturgy begins Blessing f baptismal water The rubrics describe tw instances f Baptism at the Vigil: --First instance If there is a prcessin t the baptistery r the fnt --Secnd instance If the Baptisms take place in the sanctuary If there are n Baptisms taking place Orans psitin used during the blessing f the water Lwering f the paschal candle int the Regarding the use f the Oil f Catechumens (35) Renewal f Baptismal Prmises f all present Baptisms Infants White garments and candles Cnfirmatin f adults takes place in the sanctuary Receiving already baptized Christians (f anther denminatin) int the full cmmunin f the Church (36) Fr thse baptized Cathlics wh have nt yet received Cnfirmatin r been admitted t the Eucharist Priests wh have the faculty t cnfirm: in the case f candidates wh are validly baptized as Christians (frm anther denminatin) and thse wh were baptized Cathlic Liturgy f the Eucharist (37) Dn t hurry Cmmemratin f the baptized and their gdparents during the Eucharistic Prayer Prir the Priest saying, This is the Lamb f Gd Slemn Blessing Dismissal includes the duble alleluia Lighting the Easter Candle at ther times Easter Sunday (38) Renewal f Baptismal Prmises Hly Water fnts The duble alleluia added t the dismissal, but nly during the Octave f Easter The blessing f fd Custms and traditins assciated with Hly Saturday The end f the Paschal Triduum 5
EASTER SEASON (39) The ctave f Easter adding special intercessins t the Eucharistic Prayer fr the nephytes (newly baptized) The duble alleluia The Secnd Sunday f Easter (r Sunday f Divine Mercy) The Length f the Easter Seasn special seating cnsideratins fr the nephytes During the Easter Seasn the Sprinkling Rite may replace the Penitential Rite, but may nt take place during the singing f the Glria (Glry t Gd) Baptisms and celebratins f First Cmmunin The paschal candle during the Easter Seasn (40) The paschal candle has its prper place either by the amb r by the altar and shuld be lit at Celebratin f the Slemnity f the Ascensin in ur Ecclesiastical Prvince (Milwaukee) Pentecst Sunday (41) Baptismal bservances The use f the sequence The end f the Easter Seasn The paschal candle tday and utside f the Easter Seasn 6
LENT The Length f Lent Lent runs frm Ash Wednesday until the Mass f the Lrd s Supper n Hly Thursday exclusive. Universal Nrms n the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, n. 28 Fast and Abstinence Regulatins Abstinence 1. Everyne 14 years f age r ver is bund t abstain frm meat n Ash Wednesday, all the Fridays f Lent, and n Gd Friday. Abstinence includes meat that cmes frm animals which live n land (such as chickens, cws, sheep r pigs) as well as the meat f birds. Abstinence des nt include meat juices and liquid fds made frm meat. Because f this, fds such as chicken brth, cnsmmé, sups cked r flavred with meat, meat gravies r sauces, as well as seasnings r cndiments made frm animal fat are technically allwed. Hwever, mral thelgians have traditinally taught that abstinence shuld include aviding the cnsumptin f all animal-derived prducts (except fds such as gelatin, butter, cheese and eggs, which are derived frm animals but d nt have any meat taste). Fish are a different categry f animal. Salt and freshwater species f fish, amphibians, reptiles, (cld-blded animals) and shellfish are permitted during days f abstinence frm meat. While shrimp, lbster and ther shellfish are nt cnsidered meat and s can be cnsumed n days f abstinence, and while indulging in a meal f cstly seafd n abstinence days des nt cnflict with the letter f the law, perhaps it des cnflict with its spirit. Fasting 2. Everyne between 18 and 59 years f age is bund t fast n Ash Wednesday and Gd Friday, except thse wh may be excused (see belw). 3. Besides the abstentin frm meat, n Ash Wednesday and Gd Friday nly ne full meal is allwed. If truly needed t maintain necessary strength, up t tw very small meals may be als be taken, but tgether these additinal meals shuld nt equal anther full meal. Eating between meals is nt permitted. When a persn s health r their ability t d necessary wrk wuld be seriusly affected, the law des nt blige. Liquids are allwed at any time, but n slid fd shuld be cnsumed between meals. 4. Cathlics shuld nt lightly excuse themselves frm these prescribed minimal penitential practices. Hwever: Thse wh are excused frm abstaining frm meat: Peple wh are under the age f 14. Thse wh may be excused frm fasting: Peple wh are under 18 and thse wh are 60 r ver. Thse wh are physically ill Thse wh are mentally ill Thse wh suffer frm chrnic illnesses such as diabetes. Ill persns shuld nt further jepardize their health by fasting. Peple whse ability t d necessary wrk wuld be negatively affected Wmen wh are pregnant r nursing 7
5. Fr all ther weekdays f Lent, it is strngly recmmend that we participate in daily Mass as well as in a self-impsed bservance f fasting. Cde f Cann Law, 1249, 1250, 1251 and 1252 Pastral Statement n Penance and Abstinence, ns. 10-16 (excerpted frm Pastral Letters f the United States Cathlic Bishps) 1983 United States Cathlic Cnference. Questins and Answers Abut Lent and Lenten Practices, USCCB website: http://www.usccb.rg/prayer-and-wrship/liturgical-year/lent/cathlic-infrmatin-n-lenten-fast-andabstinence.cfm Flwers decrating the altar and musical accmpaniment during Lent In Lent (with the exceptin f the Furth [Laetare] Sunday, slemnities and feasts) the altar shuld nt be decrated with flwers, and musical instruments may be played nly t give necessary supprt t the singing. This is in rder that the penitential character f the seasn be preserved. Circular Letter Cncerning the Preparatin and Celebratin f the Easter Feasts, n. 17 The practice f remving Hly Water frm the church building s fnts during Lent Remving Hly Water frm the fnts during the seasn f Lent is nt permitted, in particular, fr tw reasns: 1. The liturgical legislatin in frce des nt fresee this innvatin, which in additin t being praeter legem is cntrary t a balanced understanding f the seasn f Lent, which thugh truly being a seasn f penance, is als a seasn rich in the symblism f water and baptism, cnstantly evked in liturgical texts. 2. The encuragement f the Church that the faithful avail themselves frequently f the sacraments is t be understd t apply als t the seasn f Lent. The fast and abstinence which the faithful embrace in this seasn des nt extend t abstaining frm the sacraments r sacramentals f the Church. The practice f the Church has been t empty the Hly Water fnts n the days f the Sacred Triduum in preparatin f the blessing f the water at the Easter Vigil, and it crrespnds t thse days n which the Eucharist is nt celebrated (i.e., Gd Friday and Hly Saturday). Letter frm The Cngregatin f Divine wrship and Discipline f Sacraments, (Prt. N. 569/00/L), 3/14/03 The Alleluia during Lent The Alleluia is nt used frm the beginning f Lent until the Easter Vigil. All hymns and sngs cntaining alleluia shuld be excluded frm the liturgy during this time. Instead f singing an Alleluia acclamatin prir t the gspel, a Lenten gspel acclamatin is used in its place. The gspel acclamatin shuld always be sung. If nt sung it shuld be mitted. General Instructin f the Rman Missal, n. 62 Masses Celebrated during Lent Ritual Masses, which are cnnected t the celebratin f certain Sacraments r Sacramentals, (See Rman Missal, Ritual Masses, chapters I-X) are prhibited n Ash Wednesday, the Sundays f Lent and during Hly Week. [An exceptin t this wuld appear t be the Masses fr the Celebratin f the Scrutinies n the Third, Furth and Fifth Sundays f Lent.] Funeral Masses may nt be celebrated n the Sundays f Lent, Hly Thursday, r during the 8
Easter Triduum. When marriages are celebrated during Lent, they are t reflect the special nature f this seasn. General Instructin f the Rman Missal, ns. 372 and 380 Order f Celebrating Matrimny, n. 32 Ash Wednesday During Mass, ashes are blessed and impsed after the hmily. When distributed utside f Mass, a Liturgy f the Wrd precedes the impsitin f ashes fllwed by general intercessins and the Lrd s Prayer. The rdinary minister fr the blessing f ashes is a Priest r Deacn. Extrardinary ministers f Cmmunin and ther lay persns may assist with the impsitin f ashes where there is genuine need (an insufficient amunt f rdinary ministers) especially fr the sick and shutins. Bk f Blessings ns. 1656-1678 N special permissin appears t be required fr delegating the assistance f laypeple in this manner. First Sunday f Lent Rite f Sending Catechumens fr Electin[and Candidates fr Recgnitin] Rite f Electin/Call t Cntinuing Cnversin On this Sunday the lcal cmmunity may frmally send their catechumens (the unbaptized) frth t the dicesan celebratin f electin. In additin, thse wh are already baptized but are als participating in the RCIA prcess (t either cmplete their initiatin thrugh the sacraments f cnfirmatin and the eucharist r are preparing fr receptin int the full cmmunin f the Cathlic Church) may als be sent frth as well t celebrate their call t cntinuing cnversin. Rite f Christian Initiatin f Adults, ns. 106-117 r 530-546 Our dicesan celebratin f the Rite f Electin/Call t Cntinuing Cnversin is celebrated mst ften at the Cathedral f Christ the King in Superir, usually beginning at 3:00 p.m. Third Sunday f Lent First Scrutiny On this Sunday the first scrutiny in preparatin fr Baptism is celebrated by thse catechumens wh are t be admitted t the Sacraments f Initiatin at the Easter Vigil. (Thse wh are in the RCIA but wh have been already baptized wuld nt participate in this rite.) Fllwing the first scrutiny, thse same individuals are t participate in the Presentatin f the Creed. This shuld take place during the week after the first scrutiny and be celebrated in the presence f the cmmunity within Mass after the hmily. Rite f Christian Initiatin f Adults, ns. 150-156 and 157-163 In sme places this Presentatin f the Creed is appended t the same Mass in which the first scrutiny takes place. Thugh nt ideal, this adaptatin may at times be used fr practical reasns. 9
Furth Sunday f Lent [r Laetare Sunday] Secnd Scrutiny On this Sunday there is an ptin fr the liturgical clr chsen t be rse instead f vilet. Instrumental music beynd that which is necessary t supprt the singing is permitted, and the altar may be decrated with flwers. The secnd scrutiny in preparatin fr Baptism is celebrated by thse catechumens wh are t be admitted t the Sacraments f Initiatin at the Easter Vigil. (Thse wh are in the RCIA but wh have been already baptized wuld nt participate in this rite.) Rman Missal: Furth Sunday f Lent Rite f Christian Initiatin f Adults, ns. 164-170 Fifth Sunday f Lent Third Scrutiny Frm this Sunday the ptinal practice f cvering crsses and images thrughut the church may be bserved (mre infrmatin belw). The third scrutiny in preparatin fr Baptism is celebrated by thse catechumens wh are t be admitted t the Sacraments f Initiatin at the Easter Vigil. (Thse wh are in the RCIA but wh have been already baptized wuld nt participate in this rite.) Fllwing the third scrutiny, thse same individuals are t participate in the Presentatin f the Lrd s Prayer. This shuld take place during the week after the third scrutiny and be celebrated in the presence f the cmmunity within Mass after the hmily. Rite f Christian Initiatin f Adults, ns. 171-177 and 178-184 As abve with the Presentatin f the Creed after the first scrutiny, in sme places this Presentatin f the Lrd s Prayer is appended t the same Mass in which the third scrutiny takes place. Thugh nt ideal, this adaptatin may at times be used fr practical reasns. The Veiling/Cvering f Images and Crsses Crsses and images in the wrship space f the church may be cvered frm the Fifth Sunday f Lent. Crsses are then uncvered fllwing the celebratin f the Lrd s Passin n Gd Friday, while ther images remain cvered until the beginning f the Easter Vigil. Rman Missal: Fifth Sunday f Lent This cvering is nt required, but is ffered as an ptin, at the discretin f the lcal pastr. The idea f cvering f crsses and ther sacred images beginning with the Fifth Sunday f Lent may demnstrate a kind f fasting frm sacred depictins which represent the paschal glry f ur salvatin. Liturgical law des nt prescribe the precise frm r clr f such veils/cvers. They have traditinally been made f simple, lightweight clth, withut rnament. The clr chsen is ften purple. Instead f this practice beginning with the Fifth Sunday f Lent, it is als permissible t either physically remve r t veil/cver the crsses in the wrship space after the Mass f the Lrd's Supper n Hly Thursday. The rubric at n. 41 in the Rman Missal which cncludes the text fr the Mass f the Lrd's Supper states: the altar is stripped and, if pssible, the crsses are remved frm the church. It is expedient that any crsses which remain in the Church be veiled. 10
The Chrism Mass CHRISM MASS Our Dicesan Chrism Mass takes place the Tuesday befre Palm Sunday f the Lrd s Passin at the Cathedral f Christ the King in Superir. All clergy and lay peple are invited t attend. All Priests are invited t vest and cncelebrate. Certain Deacns will vest and assist (as Deacn f the Wrd, Deacn f the Altar and thse wh carry the three il urns in prcessin). Thugh nt specifically assisting, all ther Deacns are invited t vest and be seated in the sanctuary. Tickets fr the lunchen which fllws require prir purchase frm the Cathedral parish ffice thrugh yur lcal parish ffice. Crrectly Dispsing f Last Year s Oils and the Plastic Oil Bttles The Sacred Oils frm the past year are t be burned either in a fire specifically made fr this purpse, r in an il-burning sanctuary light r in anther il lamp in the church, r in the new fire at the Easter Vigil. If such burning is nt pssible, the ils may be buried in the grund in a place that is unlikely t be disturbed. Based n the Cde f Cann Law, 1171 The plastic il bttles received at the Chrism Mass the year befre shuld be cmpletely emptied f the hly ils which they cntain. The il shuld then be respectfully dispsed f as abve. In rder t empty f all the residual il remaining in the bttles: they shuld be inverted fr a time n several layers f absrbent paper and the paper burned. then detergent and ht water shuld be added, the bttle capped, shaken, and thse cntents then pured dwn a sacrarium r n the grund in a place that is unlikely t be disturbed. The clean, empty bttle may then be recycled. If the Parish is in Danger f Running Out f the Hly Oils Adding unblessed live il t the blessed ils In an emergency, in rder t increase the vlume f the hly ils, the 1917 Cde f Cann Law allwed unblessed live il t be added t the blessed ils but always in a quantity half again smaller than the remaining hly il. The exclusin f any mentin f this practice frm the 1983 Cde seemed t imply its suppressin, but questins arse. In 1994 the Cngregatin fr Divine Wrship and the Discipline f the Sacraments respnded: In case f true necessity nly, a priest may increase the vlume f the blessed ils by adding unblessed il t them. It wuld be an abuse, hwever, if this practice became rutine fr the sake f expedience r cnvenience. USCCB Cmmittee n Divine Wrship, Newsletter, vl. 30. (Prt. N. 589/94/L) This wuld seem t exclude the practice f diluting the ils in this manner merely t fill large il stcks used fr display. Additinal cntainers f the ils blessed and cnsecrated at the Chrism Mass are available t any parish that may need them. 11
The Priest blessing additinal il The present Cde f Cann Law allws the Priest t bless bth the Oil f Catechumens and the Oil f the Sick fr a particular single use. Any f this il blessed by the Priest which remains after this single use then needs t be dispsed f by burning r burying as abve rather than being saved. Cde f Cann Law, 999 Receiving the Hly Oils The Rite f Receptin f the Hly Oils fr use in parishes was published in the 1994 Sacramentary Supplement. As it is nw ut f print, it is included fr yu n the fllwing page. 12
RITE OF RECEPTION OF HOLY OILS Intrductin 1. It is apprpriate that the Oil f the Sick, the Oil f Catechumens, and the hly Chrism, which are blessed by the Bishp during the Chrism Mass, be presented t and received by the lcal parish cmmunity. 2. The receptin f the hly ils may take place befre the Mass f the Lrd's Supper n Hly Thursday r n anther day after the celebratin f the Chrism Mass. 3. The ils shuld be reserved in a suitable repsitry in the sanctuary r near the baptismal fnt. 4. The ils, in suitable vessels, are carried in prcessin by members f the assembly. 5. The ils are received by the Priest and are then placed n a suitably prepared table in the sanctuary r in the repsitry where they will be reserved. 6. As each f the ils is presented, the fllwing r ther wrds may be used t explain the significance f the particular il. 7. The peple's respnse may be sung. Receptin f the Hly Oils Presenter f the Oil f the Sick: Priest: The peple may respnd: Presenter f the Oil f Catechumens: Priest: The peple may respnd: Presenter f the Hly Chrism: Priest: The peple may respnd: The Oil f the Sick. May the sick wh are aninted with this il experience the cmpassin f Christ and his saving lve, in bdy and sul. Blessed be Gd fr ever. The Oil f Catechumens. Thrugh aninting with this il, may ur catechumens wh are preparing t receive the saving waters f Baptism be strengthened by Christ t resist the pwer f Satan and reject evil in all its frms. Blessed be Gd fr ever. The hly Chrism. Thrugh aninting with this perfumed Chrism may children and adults, wh are baptized and cnfirmed, and Priests, wh are rdained, experience the gracius gift f the Hly Spirit. Blessed be Gd fr ever. (The bread and wine fr the eucharist are then received and the Mass cntinues in the usual way.) The receptin f the Hly Oils, 1994, United States Cnference f Cathlic Bishps (USCCB), 3211 Furth Street, NE, Washingtn, D.C. Used with permissin. All rights reserved. 13
HOLY WEEK The days f Hly Week, frm Mnday t Thursday inclusive, are rdered t the cmmemratin f Christ s Passin, beginning with his Messianic entrance int Jerusalem. Universal Nrms n the Liturgical Year and the General Rman Calendar, n. 31. Other celebratins during Hly Week The days f Hly Week have precedence ver all ther celebratins. It is nt fitting, except in danger f death, that baptisms r cnfirmatins be celebrated n these days since they have their natural place in the Easter Vigil. Circular Letter Cncerning the Preparatin and Celebratin f the. Easter Feasts, n. 27. The Paschal Fast Pastrs shuld remind the faithful f the Paschal Fast which shuld be bserved everywhere n Gd Friday and cntinued, where pssible, n Hly Saturday. Universal Nrms n the Liturgical Year and the General Rman Calendar, n. 20. Palm Sunday f the Passin f the Lrd Recalling the Messianic entrance f Christ the Lrd int Jerusalem This shuld take place at all Masses by means f: The Prcessin the faithful prcess frm a place utside the church t inside the church (r first frm, see Rman Missal at Palm Sunday f the Passin f the Lrd, ns. 2 thrugh 11.) r The Slemn Entrance which includes a prcessin which takes place inside the church (r secnd frm, see Rman Missal at Palm Sunday f the Passin f the Lrd, ns. 12 thrugh 15) befre the principal Mass. r The Simple Entrance which excludes a prcessin f the faithful but includes the use f the prper entrance antiphn r anther sng n the same theme (r third frm, see Rman Missal at Palm Sunday f the Passin f the Lrd, ns. 16 thrugh 18) befre ther Masses. The Slemn Entrance, but nt the Prcessin, may be repeated befre ther Masses that are usually celebrated with a large gathering f peple. It is desirable that, when neither the Prcessin nr the Slemn Entrance can take place, there be a celebratin f the Wrd f Gd n the messianic entrance and n the Passin f the Lrd, either n Saturday evening r n Sunday at a cnvenient time. Rman Missal, Hly Week, Palm Sunday f the Passin f the Lrd, ns. 1-18 14
The narrative f the Lrd s Passin The Passin narrative is read (r chanted) withut candles and withut incense, with n greeting r signing f the bk. It is read by a Deacn, r, if there is n Deacn, by a Priest. It may als be read by readers, with the part f Christ, if pssible, reserved t a Priest. Deacns, but nt thers, ask the blessing f the Priest befre singing the Passin. At the end f the reading the bk is nt kissed, but, The gspel f the Lrd is said with its respnse. Rman Missal, Hly Week, Palm Sunday f the Passin f the Lrd, n. 21 The Creed and the Prayer f the Faithful (Universal Prayer) These bth take place as usual. THE SACRED PASCHAL TRIDUUM Hw des ne prnunce the Latin wrd triduum, and what des it mean? Ecclesial Latin: tree - DOO - hm (i = ee; u = h, bth u s prnunced alike) Slightly Anglicized: TRIH - d - uhm Mre Anglicized: TRIH - jew - uhm Triduum means: a three day perid f prayer, usually in preparatin fr an imprtant feast r in celebratin f that feast. When des the Paschal (r Easter) Triduum begin and end? The Paschal Triduum begins with the evening Mass f the Lrd s Supper n Hly Thursday, reaches its high pint in the Easter Vigil, and clses with Evening Prayer n Easter Sunday. Eighteen Questins On the Paschal Triduum, USCCB Cmmittee n Divine Wrship, n.1 Each f the three days begin in the evening, Thursday t Friday (1) Friday t Saturday (2) and Saturday t Sunday (3). The imprtance and the unity f the Paschal Triduum The Easter Triduum shuld be seen as the summit f the liturgical year, marking the end f the Lenten seasn, and leading t the Mass f the Resurrectin f the Lrd at the Easter Vigil. USCCB website: Triduum. ( http://www.usccb.rg/prayer-and-wrship/liturgical-year/triduum/ ) It shuld be lked upn as ne liturgy celebrated ver the span f its three days. Fr this reasn it wuld nt be apprpriate fr a parish t mit any f the parts f this ne celebratin. USCCB Cmmittee n Divine Wrship, Eighteen Questins On the Paschal Triduum, end f n. 6 Permissin frm Bishp needs t be btained if a parish wishes t have mre than ne Celebratin f the Lrd s Passin n Gd Friday Rman Missal, Friday f the Passin f the Lrd [Gd Friday], the Celebratin f the Passin f the Lrd, n. 4 15
The Paschal Fast This fast is t be celebrated everywhere n the Friday f the Lrd s Passin and, where apprpriate, prlnged t als thrugh Hly Saturday as a way f appraching the jys f the Lrd s Resurrectin. Rman Missal, The Sacred Paschal Triduum, n. 1 Rather than being slely penitential, the Paschal Fast is als fcused n preparing fr the cming feast f Easter. It shuld nt nly include a reductin in the intake f fd, but als culd include times f quiet prayer, acts f Christian charity, and perhaps ther kinds f fasting, such as frm servile wrk, idle distractins, and wrldly entertainments. It is suggested in the RCIA (at n. 185) that, during this time, thse wh will be baptized at the Easter Vigil shuld refrain frm their usual activities and spend their time in prayer and reflectin. Hw may clustered parishes celebrate the Paschal Triduum? D all the liturgies have t be celebrated in the same church building? A parish with multiple churches r chapels (e.g., missin churches r a cluster f parishes under ne pastr) might rtate the Triduum liturgies amng their varius lcatins, but (as abve) it wuld nt be apprpriate fr a cmmunity (as a cluster) t mit parts f the ne Triduum celebratin. USCCB Cmmittee n Divine Wrship, Eighteen Questins On the Paschal Triduum, end f n. 6 The celebratins f the Sacred Triduum are t be carried ut in cathedral and parchial churches and nly in thse churches in which they can be perfrmed with dignity, that is, with: a gd attendance f the faithful an apprpriate number f ministers and the means t sing at least sme f the parts. Cnsequently, it is desirable that small cmmunities [ ] jin tgether in these churches t carry ut the sacred celebratins in a mre nble manner. Rman Missal, The Sacred Paschal Triduum, n. 3 With the abve in mind, it may be better t have the cmmunities within a cluster try t jin tgether whenever pssible in rder t better celebrate their ne Paschal Triduum liturgy (thugh pssibly celebrated sequentially at different sites) than fr these liturgies t be duplicated at varius wrship sites within the parish cluster. The ne additinal cnsideratin culd be that, in rder fr the Mass f the Lrd s Supper n Hly Thursday t end with Transfer f the Hly Eucharist and adratin, the Celebratin f the Lrd s Passin which fllws n Gd Friday needs t take place in the same church building. (See belw.) Hly Thursday s Celebratin f the Mass f the Lrd s Supper and Gd Friday s Celebratin f the Passin f the Lrd taking place in the same church building. If the Celebratin f the Passin f the Lrd n Gd Friday will nt take place in the same church [building] that the Celebratin f the Lrd s Supper did n Hly Thursday, Mass n Hly Thursday is cncluded in the usual way (withut the Transfer f the Blessed Sacrament) and the Blessed Sacrament is placed in the tabernacle. Rman Missal, Thursday f Hly Week [Hly Thursday], Mass f the Lrd s Supper, n. 44 This (abve) wuld mean that the Transfer f the Blessed Sacrament (and its assciated adratin) wuld be mitted frm that celebratin. (This may be a gd reasn fr a cluster t try t celebrate Hly Thursday s Mass f the Lrd s Supper and Gd Friday s Celebratin f the Lrd s 16
Passin in the same church building.) In a nn-clustered parish, r in a parish cluster, may mre than ne Celebratin f the Lrd s Passin n Gd Friday take place? If there is true pastral need, Bishp may permit the Celebratin f the Lrd s Passin n Gd Friday t be repeated (and in mre than ne church building in the case f a parish cluster) althugh, as is explained in further detail belw, these celebratins may nly be led by a Priest, nt by a Deacn r a lay leader f prayer. Rman Missal, Friday f the Passin f the Lrd [Gd Friday], the Celebratin f the Passin f the Lrd, n. 4 In a parish cluster, culd mre than ne Easter Vigil be celebrated at different sites? Althugh this is nt stated specifically in the case f clustered parishes, the Rman Missal des state that there is t be nly ne celebratin f the Easter Vigil in each church. This may imply that, if the parish cluster is lked upn in sme ways as being ne parish with multiple wrship sites, it may be best fr a cluster t celebrate nly ne Easter Vigil. Because it is stated specifically that, in rder fr a parish t repeat its Celebratin f the Lrd s Passin n Gd Friday, permissin must be btained frm the Bishp, it may be best that similar permissin be btained frm him fr a clustered parish s desire t repeat the Easter Vigil. Perpetual Expsitin and Slemn Adratin f the Blessed Sacrament Perpetual expsitin and slemn adratin f the Blessed Sacrament is prhibited during the Paschal Triduum except fr the evening f Hly Thursday when adratin in a clsed tabernacle takes place after the Mass f the Lrd s Supper. In this instance under n circumstances may the Blessed Sacrament be expsed in a mnstrance. Respnsum ad dubiam received by the Bishps Cmmittee n the Liturgy (July 1995), in Slemn Expsitin f the Hly Eucharist, 36-37. Cngregatin fr Divine Wrship, Circular Letter Cncerning the Preparatin and Celebratin f the Easter Feasts (Prt. N. 120/88), February, 1988, n. 55 Hly Thursday Remval f Hly Water Hly water shuld be remved frm all fnts befre the celebratin f the Mass f the Lrd s Supper. They are refilled with the water blessed at the Easter Vigil. Paulist Press Ord, Hly Thursday f the Lrd s Supper (bullet pint). See als: letter frm The Cngregatin f Divine wrship and Discipline f Sacraments, (Prt. N. 569/00/L), 3/14/00 Time f celebratin and thse wh shuld be in attendance The Mass f the Lrd s Supper is celebrated in the evening, at a cnvenient time, with the full participatin f the whle lcal cmmunity and with all the Priests and ministers exercising their ffice. All Priests may cncelebrate. Rman Missal, The Sacred Paschal Triduum, Thursday f the Lrd s Supper, At the Evening Mass, ns. 1 and 2 17
Distributin f Hly Cmmunin Hly Cmmunin may nly be distributed t the faithful during Mass, but it may be brught t the sick at any hur f the day. See abve, n. 4 Altar decratins, cntents f the tabernacle, and planning ahead fr distributin f Hly Cmmunin n Gd Friday The altar may be decrated with flwers with a mderatin that accrds with the character f this day. The tabernacle shuld be entirely empty, but a sufficient amunt f bread shuld be cnsecrated in this Mass fr the Cmmunin f the clergy and the peple n this and the fllwing day (fr the Celebratin f the Lrd s Passin). See abve, n. 5 The singing f the Glria, the use f bells The Glria is sung (r said). While the hymn is being sung, bells are rung, and, when it is finished, they remain silent until the Glria f the Easter Vigil. See abve, n. 7 May anther Mass besides the Mass f the Lrd s Supper be celebrated n Hly Thursday? Ordinarily, n ther Mass may be celebrated n Hly Thursday. Hwever, by way f exceptin, Bishp may permit anther Mass in churches and ratries t be celebrated in the evening, and, in the case f genuine necessity, even in the mrning. Such Masses are prvided fr thse wh in n way are able t participate in the evening Mass. See abve, n. 3 Hly Thursday s Celebratin f the Mass f the Lrd s Supper and Gd Friday s Celebratin f the Passin f the Lrd taking place in the same church building. As already stated abve n page 16, if the Celebratin f the Passin f the Lrd n Gd Friday will nt take place in the same church [building] that the Celebratin f the Lrd s Supper did n Hly Thursday, Mass n Hly Thursday is cncluded in the usual way (withut the Transfer f the Blessed Sacrament) and the Blessed Sacrament is placed in the tabernacle. Rman Missal, Thursday f Hly Week [Hly Thursday], Mass f the Lrd s Supper, n. 44 This (abve) wuld mean that the Transfer f the Blessed Sacrament (and its assciated adratin) wuld be mitted frm that celebratin. (This may be a gd reasn fr a cluster t try t celebrate Hly Thursday s Mass f the Lrd s Supper and Gd Friday s Celebratin f the Lrd s Passin in the same church buildings.) 18
The Ft Washing (Mandatum) n Hly Thursday s Mass f the Lrd s Supper The Rman Missal, Thursday f Hly Week [Hly Thursday] Mass f the Lrd s Supper, n. 11 frmerly stated, The men wh have been chsen are led. Hwever, this text has nw been changed t read, Thse wh are chsen. (Emphasis added.) This mdificatin was made in rder t manifest the full meaning f the rite t thse wh participate in it. 1. It is fr the pastr t chse a small grup f persns wh are representative f the entire Peple f Gd utlined abve. The number, which can be either less than r greater than twelve, may be decided by the pastr. 2. Pastrs are reminded f their respnsibility t adequately instruct bth the chsen faithful as well as all thers s that they may participate cnsciusly, actively and fruitfully in the rite. 3. In view f the reverence due at all liturgical celebratins, it wuld be pprtune t remind thse wh have been chsen t participate in the ftwashing that apprpriate attire is required. 4. The rite remains ptinal within the celebratin f the Mass f the Lrd s Supper. Cngregatin fr Divine Wrship, Decree: In Missa Cena Dmini, January 6, 2016 Such small grups can be made up f men and wmen, and it is apprpriate that they cnsist f peple yung and ld, healthy and sick, clerics, cnsecrated men and wmen and laity. (The small grup f the faithful selected shuld nt just be frm ne categry r cnditin.) Is the Mandatum (the washing f feet at the Mass f the Lrd s Supper) required? N, it is nt required. The Rman Missal nly indicates, After the Hmily, where a pastral reasn suggests it [ubi rati pastralis id suadeat], the Washing f Feet fllws. Eighteen Questins On the Paschal Triduum, USCCB Cmmittee n Divine Wrship, n. 4 The Transfer f the Mst Blessed Sacrament As stated abve, n pages 16 and 18, nly if the Celebratin f the Lrd s Passin n Gd Friday is taking place in the same church building that the Mass f the Lrd s Supper has taken place wuld the fllwing Transfer f the Mst Blessed Sacrament be celebrated. After the distributin f Cmmunin, cibria cntaining sufficient hsts fr Cmmunin n the fllwing day is left n the altar. The Priest, standing at the chair, says the Prayer after Cmmunin. Incensatin f the cibria cntaining the Blessed Sacrament The Priest puts incense in the thurible while standing, blesses it and then, kneeling, incenses the Blessed Sacrament three times. Putting n the humeral veil, picking up the cibria Then, having put n a white humeral veil, rises, takes the cibria, cvering them with the ends f the veil. 19
Frming the prcessin, the prcessin t the place f repse A prcessin is frmed in which the Blessed Sacrament, accmpanied by trches and incense, is carried thrugh the church t a place f repse prepared in a part f the church r in a chapel suitably decrated. A lay minister with a crss, standing between tw ther ministers with lighted candles leads ff. Others carrying lighted candles fllws. Befre the Priest carrying the Blessed Sacrament cmes the thurifer with a smking thurible. Hymn sung during the prcessin Meanwhile, during the prcessin the hymn Pange Lingua (exclusive f the last tw stanzas) r anther eucharistic chant is sung. Placing the cibria in the tabernacle When the prcessin reaches the place f repse, the Priest, with the help f the Deacn if necessary, places the cibrium in the tabernacle, the dr f which remains pen. Incensatin f the Blessed Sacrament after it is placed in the tabernacle Then the Priest puts incense in the thurible and, kneeling, incenses the Blessed Sacrament. Hymn sung during final incensatin During this final incensatin, Tantum Erg Sacramentum r anther eucharistic chant is sung. Clsing the tabernacle dr Then the Deacn r the Priest clses the tabernacle dr. Perid f silent adratin and departure fr the sacristy After a perid f silent adratin, the Priest and ministers genuflect and return t the sacristy. Rman Missal, Thursday f Hly Week [Hly Thursday] Mass f the Lrd s Supper, ns. 37 40 Encuraging the maintenance f a reverent silence during the time that thers are adring the Blessed Sacrament Out f respect fr thse wh remain in adratin, a reverent silence in all parts f the church within earsht f the place f repse shuld be lvingly encuraged as thers exit r tend t the tasks which need t take place after Mass. Thugh smetimes difficult t achieve, this silence shuld be especially exemplified by thse in the sacristy. If this is nt pssible, the sacristy dr shuld be clsed. Stripping the altar/remving r cvering crsses When the celebratin f the Mass f the Lrd s Supper has ended, the altar is stripped privately at an apprpriate time. It is fitting that any crsses be remved frm the church. It is expedient that any crsses which remain in the church be cvered/veiled. Rman Missal, Thursday f Hly Week [Hly Thursday] Mass f the Lrd s Supper, n. 41 Expsitin f the Blessed Sacrament n Hly Thursday As stated abve n page 17, perpetual expsitin and slemn adratin f the Blessed Sacrament is prhibited during the Paschal Triduum except fr the evening f Hly Thursday when adratin in a clsed tabernacle takes place after the Mass f the Lrd s Supper. In this instance under n circumstances may the Blessed Sacrament be expsed in a mnstrance. Respnsum ad dubiam received by the Bishps Cmmittee n the Liturgy (July 1995), in Slemn Expsitin f the Hly Eucharist, 36-37. 20
Cngregatin fr Divine Wrship, Circular Letter Cncerning the Preparatin and Celebratin f the Easter Feasts (Prt. N. 120/88), February, 1988, n. 55 Length f the Time f Adratin n Hly Thursday Night The faithful shuld be encuraged t adre the Blessed Sacrament fr a suitable perid f time during the night. Frm midnight nward, hwever, the adratin shuld be made withut external slemnity, fr the day f the Lrd s Passin has begun. Rman Missal, Thursday f Hly Week [Hly Thursday] Mass f the Lrd s Supper, n. 43 Where apprpriate, this prlnged Eucharistic adratin may be accmpanied by the reading f sme part f the Gspel f Jhn, chapters 13-17. Gd Friday Celebratin f the Sacraments On this and the fllwing day, by a mst ancient traditin, the Church des nt celebrate the Sacraments at all, except fr Penance and the Aninting f the Sick. Rman Missal, Friday f the Passin f the Lrd [Gd Friday], n. 1 Distributin f Hly Cmmunin Hly Cmmunin is distributed t the faithful nly within the Celebratin f the Lrd s Passin, but it may be brught at any hur f the day t the sick wh cannt participate in the celebratin. Rman Missal, Friday f the Passin f the Lrd [Gd Friday], n. 2 The Paschal Fast As already stated abve n page 16, this fast is t be celebrated everywhere n the Friday f the Lrd s Passin and, where apprpriate, prlnged t als thrugh Hly Saturday as a way f appraching the jys f the Lrd s Resurrectin. Rman Missal, The Sacred Paschal Triduum, n. 1 Rather than being slely penitential, the Paschal Fast is als fcused n preparing fr the cming feast f Easter. It shuld nt nly include a reductin in the intake f fd, but als culd include times f quiet prayer, acts f Christian charity, and perhaps ther kinds f fasting, such as frm servile wrk, idle distractins, and wrldly entertainments. It is suggested in the RCIA (at n. 185) that, during this time, thse wh will be baptized at the Easter Vigil shuld refrain frm their usual activities and spend their time in prayer and reflectin. Des the Church encurage any ther liturgical celebratins n Gd Friday? On this day the Office f Readings and Mrning Prayer culd apprpriately be celebrated with the participatin f the peple in the churches. Nte that Evening Prayer is nly prayed by thse wh d nt participate in the Celebratin f the Lrd s Passin. USCCB Cmmittee n Divine Wrship, Eighteen Questins On the Paschal Triduum, n. 8 21
D ther devtins have a particular imprtance n Gd Friday? The Directry n Ppular Piety and the Liturgy (2002) prvides the prper perspective in paragraphs 142-145. Clearly the central celebratin f this day is the Gd Friday Celebratin f the Lrd s Passin. In n way shuld manifestatins f ppular piety, either by the time r manner in which they are cnvked, substitute fr this slemn liturgical actin. Nr shuld aspects f the varius acts f piety be mixed with the Gd Friday celebratin, creating a hybrid. In recent times, Passin prcessins, celebratins f the Statins f the Crss, and Passin Plays have becme mre cmmn. In such representatins, actrs and spectatrs can be invlved in a mment f faith and genuine piety. Care shuld be taken, hwever, t pint ut t the faithful that Passin Plays are representatins which are cmmemrative, and hw this needs t be distinguished frm liturgical actins which are anamnesis the mysterius presence f the redemptive event f the Passin. (Emphasis added.) USCCB Cmmittee n Divine Wrship, Eighteen Questins On the Paschal Triduum, n. 9 In a nn-clustered parish, r in a parish cluster, may mre than ne Celebratin f the Lrd s Passin n Gd Friday take place? As already stated abve n page 17, if there is true pastral need, Bishp may permit the Celebratin f the Lrd s Passin n Gd Friday t be repeated (and in mre than ne church building in the case f a parish cluster) althugh, as is explained in further detail belw, these celebratins may nly be led by a Priest, nt by a Deacn r a lay leader f prayer. Rman Missal, Friday f the Passin f the Lrd [Gd Friday], the Celebratin f the Passin f the Lrd, n. 4 May a Deacn [r a lay leader f prayer] fficiate at the Celebratin f the Lrd s Passin n Gd Friday? Althugh the Celebratin f the Lrd's Passin appears t be a service f the Wrd with the distributin f Hly Cmmunin, the Rman Missal des nt permit it t be celebrated in the absence f a Priest, s neither a Deacn [nr a lay leader f prayer] may preside. Histrically, even thugh the Eucharist is nt celebrated n this day, the liturgy f Gd Friday bears resemblance t a Mass. At ne time it was called the Mass f the Presanctified (referring t the pre-cnsecrated hsts used at Cmmunin, even when nly the Priest received Cmmunin). This is als reflected in the prescribed vesture fr the Priest: stle and chasuble. The liturgy f Gd Friday, as an integral part f the Triduum, is linked t the Hly Thursday Mass f the Lrd s Supper and the Easter Vigil n Hly Saturday. USCCB Cmmittee n Divine Wrship, Eighteen Questins On the Paschal Triduum, n. 6 Rman Missal, Friday f the Passin f the Lrd [Gd Friday] Celebratin f the Passin f the Lrd, n. 4 22
When shuld the Gd Friday Celebratin f the Lrd s Passin take place? Nrmally it shuld take place in the afternn, at abut 3:00 PM, t enable peple t assemble mre easily. Hwever, pastral discretin may indicate a time shrtly after midday, r in the late evening, thugh never later than 9:00 PM. As abve, depending n the size r nature f a parish r ther cmmunity, Bishp may permit the service t be repeated. USCCB Cmmittee n Divine Wrship, Eighteen Questins On the Paschal Triduum, n. 5 Rman Missal, Friday f the Passin f the Lrd [Gd Friday] Celebratin f the Passin f the Lrd, n. 4 The altar is bare The altar shuld be cmpletely bare: withut a crss, withut candles and withut clths. Rman Missal, Friday f the Passin f the Lrd [Gd Friday], n. 3 Parts which may be sung Thse parts f the liturgy which wuld be best sung include: the Respnsrial Psalm, the chant befre the Gspel, the chants fr the Shwing f the Hly Crss, the suggested chants (r ther suitable nes) during the Adratin f the Hly Crss and thse during the distributin f Hly Cmmunin. Additinally, the Lrd s Prayer and the Slemn Intercessins in their entirety (r at least the invitatin in which the intentin is expressed) culd be sung. In the absence f a Deacn a lay minister (cantr) may sing these invitatins. Rman Missal, Friday f the Passin f the Lrd [Gd Friday] Celebratin f the Passin f the Lrd, ns. 7, 8, 11, 15, 23 and 28 Silent prcessin t the altar and then the Prstratin (r Kneeling) befre it The Priest and the Deacn, if a Deacn is present, wearing red vestments as fr Mass, g t the altar in silence and, after making a reverence t the altar, prstrate themselves r, if apprpriate, kneel and pray in silence fr a while. All thers kneel. See abve, n. 5 Opening Prayer mits Let us pray Then the Priest, with the ministers, ges t the chair where, facing the peple (wh are standing) he says (with hands extended) ne f the prayers indicated in the Rman Missal, mitting the invitatin Let us pray. See abve, n. 6 The narrative f the Lrd s Passin...As n Palm Sunday, The Passin narrative n Gd Friday is read (r chanted) withut candles and withut incense, with n greeting r signing f the bk. It is read by a Deacn, r, if there is n Deacn, by a Priest. It may als be read by readers, with the part f Christ, if pssible, reserved t a Priest. Deacns, but nt thers, ask the blessing f the Priest befre singing the Passin. At the end f the reading the bk is nt kissed, but, The gspel f the Lrd is said with its respnse. Rman Missal, Hly Week, Palm Sunday f the Passin f the Lrd, n. 21 23
The Slemn Intercessins The Liturgy f the Wrd cncludes with the Slemn Intercessins: the Deacn, if a Deacn is present, r if he is nt, a lay minister (reader r cantr), stands at the amb, and sings r says the invitatin in which the intentin is expressed. then all pray in silence fr a while and afterwards, the Priest, standing at the chair r, if apprpriate, at the altar, with hands extended, sings r says the prayers which cnclude each intercessin. the faithful may remain either kneeling r standing thrughut the entire perid f the prayers. Befre the Priest s prayer, in accrd with traditin, it is permissible t use the Deacn s sung invitatins; Let us kneel Let us stand with all kneeling fr silent prayer. In a situatin f grave public need, the Dicesan Bishp may permit r rder the additin f a special intentin. Rman Missal, Friday f the Passin f the Lrd [Gd Friday] Celebratin f the Passin f the Lrd, ns. 11-13 Hw des the Adratin f the Hly Crss n Gd Friday begin? The Adratin f the Hly Crss begins with ne f tw frms f the Shwing f the Hly Crss, f which there are tw frms: The First Frm f the Shwing f the Hly Crss begins as the Deacn r anther suitable minister ges t the sacristy and btains the veiled Crss. Accmpanied by tw ministers with lighted candles, the Crss, which has been cvered with a vilet clth, is brught thrugh the church t the center f the sanctuary in prcessin. The Priest accepts the Crss and then, standing in frnt f the altar and facing the peple, uncvers a little f its upper part and elevates it while singing Behld the wd f the Crss, n which hung the salvatin f the wrld. He is assisted in singing by the Deacn r, if need be, by the chir. All respnd, Cme, let us adre. At the end f the singing, all kneel and fr a brief mment adre in silence, while the Priest stands and hlds the Crss raised. Then the Priest uncvers the right arm f the Crss and again, raising up the Crss, begins Behld the wd f the Crss, and everything takes place as abve. Finally, the Priest uncvers the Crss entirely and, raising it up, he begins the invitatin Behld the wd f the Crss a third time and everything takes place like the first time. See abve, n. 15 24
In the Secnd Frm f the Shwing f the Hly Crss, the Priest r the Deacn accmpanied by ther ministers, r anther suitable minister, ges t the church dr, where he receives the unveiled Crss, and the ministers take lighted candles. Then the prcessin sets ff thrugh the church t the sanctuary. Stpping at (1) the dr f the church, (2) in the middle f the church, and (3) befre entering the sanctuary, the ne wh carries the crss elevates it, singing, Behld the wd f the Crss, n which hung the salvatin f the wrld. All respnd, Cme, let us adre. After each respnse all kneel fr a brief mment and adre in silence, as abve. See abve, n. 16 Hw is the crss venerated by members f the cngregatin n Gd Friday? Placement f the Crss and candles After the Shwing f the Hly Crss, using either frm abve, the Priest r Deacn may carry the Crss t the entrance f the sanctuary r anther suitable place and there puts it dwn r hands it ver t the ministers t hld. Candles are placed t the right and left f the Crss. Order and methds f adratin The first persn t adre the Crss is the Priest celebrant. If circumstances suggest, he takes ff his chasuble and his shes. Next, the clergy, lay ministers and the faithful then apprach the Crss, mving as if in prcessin, and shwing reverence t the Crss by a simple genuflectin r by sme ther apprpriate sign, fr example, by kissing it. The imprtance f persnal adratin The persnal adratin f the Crss is an imprtant feature in this celebratin and every effrt shuld be made t achieve it. The rubrics remind us that nly ne Crss shuld be used fr adratin. See abve, ns. 17, 18, 19 Methds t assist with maintaing persnal adratin, even with larger numbers in attendance It shuld be kept in mind that when a sufficiently large Crss is used even a large cmmunity can reverence it in due time. The right and left arms f a larger single Crss may be apprached and venerated simultaneusly. Discretely statining ministers t either side wh facilitate the flw f adrers and wh assist thse wh may need help with ambulatin can allw fr this part f the liturgy t be celebrated with decrum and devtin. USCCB Cmmittee n Divine Wrship, Eighteen Questins On the Paschal Triduum, n. 5 Only if numbers are t great If the numbers are truly s great that all cannt cme frward, the Priest, after sme f the clergy and faithful have adred the Crss, can take it and stand in the center befre the altar. In a few wrds he invites the peple t adre the Crss. He then elevates the Crss higher fr a brief perid f time while the faithful adre it in silence. Rman Missal, Friday f the Passin f the Lrd [Gd Friday] Celebratin f the Passin f the Lrd, n. 19 25