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. Our environment evolves as the story unfolds. At the beginning of the week, red is superimposed on the Lenten violet. Its startling effect is softened by the palms on Sunday, but grows ever more dominant as the week progresses. The red vigil lights offer a smoldering glow on either side of the purple draped cross as the chancel lights are dimmed for the evening services. On the East wall a blood-red sun in total eclipse hangs as a foreboding portent of the week's finale. The royal red of Palm Sunday will become Friday's red death.. The liturgies of the final three days --Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the Triduum -- are, in structure, one extended service. One day's liturgy begins where the previous service left off. There is no benediction or formal conclusion on Thursday or Friday. The service resumes the next day as our Lord's journey continues.. In keeping with the more contemplative nature of the season, worshippers refrain from applause after the postlude and the clergy greet the people in the church lobby, instead of at the church doors. The reflective mood of Lent is sustained in the sanctuary for those who wish to remain for meditation and prayer.. Noonday and evening services on the weekdays offer additional times for worship and prayer. Ancient services of the late night are prayed this week. Tenebrae (Wednesday), the highly symbolic service of darkness and closure, anticipates the events of the Triduum and the in Holy Thursday Vigil worshipers follow Christ's command to watch and pray. |
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PALM SUNDAY . As we enter the sanctuary on Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week, we see that the large cross that stood at the entrance to the nave has been moved forward to stand in the center of the cross aisle. It commands the view, a barrier to vision, a focus for devotion. Its influence will dominate the week as its mass now dominates our space.. In the chancel, palm branches have been added to the thistles and dry vegetation surrounding the altar. Worshipers receive palm strips as they enter the church. Violet banners with red palm silhouettes hang from each of the pillars. On the altar, the purple cross has been replaced by panels of deep red with gold trim. The vestments of the service leaders are fitted with the same deep red and adorned with crosses embroidered in gold. A processional banner bearing the same colors waits at the entrance to the church. The hall is set for a royal visitor. A celebration is prepared.. The liturgy for this day is in two parts. The first is the procession with palms, a dramatic prelude to the Eucharist. The service begins in the paradisum with the blessing of palms. As the congregation sings the hymn, "All Glory, Laud and Honor," they become spectators at Jesus' triumphal procession from the Mount of Olives into Jerusalem. Service leaders carry large palm branches around the perimeter of the nave in a symbolic re-enactment of Christ's final entry into the city.. As the procession approaches the center aisle, children step out to place palms and cloths on the floor in front of the processional cross. The cross and the royal banner continue on to the chancel on this "royal carpet" in the same way that Jesus proceeded into Jerusalem on the palms and garments scattered by the crowd.. At the head of the aisle, the service leaders pause to offer a prayer and the celebration abruptly halts. The Christ is no longer in favor; the cries of the people no longer hail him as king. He becomes the target of enemies who would destroy him. The service enters its second phase as the congregation sings a somber Lenten hymn and the liturgy immediately moves to the lessons and a reading of the Passion, Saint Matthew's account of the betrayal, trial, suffering and death of Jesus Christ.. The day comes to a cheerless close. Our palms are cast aside; the royal purple gives way to the blood red. We had joyously hailed our king as he entered the royal city only to see Him abruptly abandoned and summarily executed. In the liturgies of the coming week we will pursue this road of sorrows and follow our Lord step by step to the climax of his journey. |
