HOLY WEEK
This week we embark on a journey that will take us from the joy of Palm Sunday through the suffering and sorrow of Holy Week to the triumph and celebration of Easter.
Maundy Thursday
Clitheroe 8.00pm Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
We commemorate the last meal that Jesus ate with his disciples in which he washed their feet and instituted the Eucharist. Afterwards he walked to the Garden of Gethsemane where the Apostles were unable to stay awake and pray with him. In darkness he was arrested. We commemorate this by the removal of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose. As a community we respond to Christ’s words, “Could you not watch with me one hour?” by watching with Christ from 9.00pm until Compline (the Church’s night prayer) at 10.00pm.
Good Friday
Today is a day of Fast and Abstinence
Clitheroe 9.00am Stations of the Cross
Sabden 10.00am Stations of the Cross
Clitheroe: 10.00am Ecumenical Service at St Mary Magdalene’s, followed by procession of the Cross to Castle Gate
Sabden: 11.00am Ecumenical Service at the Village Cross
Clitheroe 3.00pm Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
Jesus died at the ninth hour, three o’clock in the afternoon. We gather in mourning to hear St John’s account of Jesus’ Passion; to pray for all for whom Christ died; to venerate the cross on which he died; and to share the fruit of his redeeming death in Holy Communion.
Holy Saturday
Clitheroe 8.00pm Easter Vigil
In darkness, the Easter fire and the blessing of the Paschal Candle celebrate Our Saviour’s resurrection from the dead and the victory of light over darkness. Extended readings recall God’s redeeming acts throughout history that culminated in the Resurrection. The Easter Water is blessed and we are invited to commit ourselves afresh to Christ by renewing our baptismal promises. This Vigil Mass is the most important Service of the whole year and should be attended even in preference to Mass on Easter Sunday itself.
Easter Sunday
Clitheroe 9.30am Mass & Renewal of Baptismal Promises
Dunsop Bridge 10am Mass & Renewal of Baptismal Promises
Sabden 11am Mass & Renewal of Baptismal Promises