Easter is the most significant period of the Christian liturgical year. Each day focuses on one aspect of the life-giving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Easter Ceremonies for 2009 at St Stephen’s Cathedral will be:

7pm Holy Thursday Evening Mass of the Last Supper
9th April

10.00am Good Friday Way of the Cross
10th April

3pm Good Friday Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
10th April

7.00pm Holy Saturday Easter Vigil
11th April

8.00am; 10.00am; 12 noon and 7.30pm Easter Sunday Day of the Lord’s Rising
12th April

THE CEREMONIES IN THE THREE DAYS OF EASTER

Evening Mass of the Last Supper: Holy Thursday – 7pm

The three days of Easter begins on Holy Thursday evening. The focus of the service is the life, death and rising of Jesus. During the Mass the Archbishop will wash the feet of several people signifying sharing in the discipleship of Jesus.

Celebration of the Lord’s Passion: Good Friday – 3pm

The solemn liturgy holds together the passion, suffering and death of Jesus and is based around the reading of the Passion story from John’s Gospel, the veneration of the Cross and the General Intercessions. Members of the congregation, dressed in black, carry a large wooden cross into the Church. At the foot of the sanctuary (altar steps), the congregation will file past and kiss or touch the wooden cross.

Easter Vigil: Holy Saturday- 7.00pm

This vigil is a night of great celebration, expectation and joy. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and is the most important liturgy of the Church’s year.

Day of the Lord’s Rising: Easter Sunday – 10am

The celebration of Easter Day is reflected in the liturgy of Easter Sunday Mass. It is a day of joy celebrating the renewal of Christian lives through the resurrection of the Lord.

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