FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Dates of Passover and Easter
At the Council of Nicaea in 325, the date for Easter was fixed as:
the Sunday after the full moon after the spring equinox (vernal equinox).
Sunday 20th April 2025 is the feast of Easter.
Eastern Christians calculate the date of Easter according to the Julian Calendar, the Calendar in general use before the Gregorian reform on 1582. One of the reforms was the removal of ten days from the Calendar and this discrepancy, now thirteen days, between the Julian and Gregorian Calendars results often in a difference in the date for Easter in East and West as they follow the two Calendars. This year, 2025, both Calendars have the same date for Easter.
The feast of the Passover is a seven day feast, beginning at sundown on the evening of 20 April 2025.
Sunday 13th April : PALM SUNDAY
Holy Week begins on this day, which joins the foretelling of Christ's regal triumph and the proclamation of the Passion.
During Holy Week, the Church celebrates the mysteries of salvation accomplished by Christ in the last days of his life on earth, beginning with mis messianic entrance into Jerusalem.
Wednesday 16th April : Wednesday in Holy Week
Spy Wednesday we call it - for Judas has left his mark on our calendars. The pain of his betrayal is to be felt in the account of St. Matthew's Gospel, and thirty pieces of silver goes into language currency ever since. At the end of this Lent, which has seen us trying to purify ourselves of all that is not Christian, these thirty pieces of silver come before us as a warning.
The CHRISM MASS will be celebrated on Wednesday 16th April at 7.00 p.m. in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh. All are welcome.
This Mass which the Archbishop celebrates with the priests of the Archdiocese in the presence of the people and at which he blesses the Holy Oils, manifests the communion of the priests & people with their bishop.
Holy Oils
Chrism is used to anoint the newly baptised, in confirmation, ordination of Bishops and in rites of anointing pertaining to the dedication of churches and altars.
The oil of catechumens is sued in the preparation of catechumens for their baptism.
The oil of the sick is used to bring comfort and support to the sick in their infirmity.
Thursday 17th April : HOLY THURSDAY
The Easter Triduum begins with the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper.
At this supper on the night he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus offered his body and blood to the Father under the appearances of bread and wine, gave them to the apostles to eat and drink, then enjoined the apostles and their successors in the priesthood to offer them in turn. This Mass is, first of all, the memorial of the institution of the Eucharist - the Last Supper was the first Mass. It is also the memorial of the institution of the priesthood and also of the love by which the Lord loved us even to death.
Friday 18th April : GOOD FRIDAY
On this day when "Christ our Passover was sacrificed", the Church meditates on the Passion of our Lord, venerates the Cross and intercedes for the salvation of the whole world.
On this day, in accordance with the ancient tradition, the Church does not celebrate the Eucharist; Holy Communion is distributed to the faithful during the Celebration of the Lord's Passion alone.
Saturday 19th April : HOLY SATURDAY
On this day the Church is as it were at the Lord's tomb, meditating on his passion and death, awaiting His resurrection.
The Church abstains from the celebration of the Sacrifice of the Mass until the Easter Vigil that evening.
EASTER VIGIL
This is the night when the Church keeps vigil, waiting for the resurrection of the Lord and celebrates the sacraments of Christian Initiation. The full meaning of this Vigil is a waiting for the coming of the Lord. St. Augustine called it the "mother of all vigils". The Gospel of St. Luke (12:35) reminds the faithful to have their lamps burning ready, awaiting their master's return, so that when he arrives he will find them wide awake and will seat them at his table.
There are 4 parts of the the Vigil:
Service of Light, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of Baptism and Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Sunday 20th April : EASTER SUNDAY
CHRIST IS RISEN, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA!