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 2012 at St Stephen’s Cathedral will be:

7pm           Holy Thursday     Evening Mass
                 5th April            of the Last Supper

10.00am     Good Friday       Way of the Cross
                 6th April

3pm           Good Friday       Celebration of the Lord’s 
                 6th April            Passion

7.00pm       Holy Saturday     Easter Vigil
                 7th April

8.00am;       Easter Sunday    Day of the Lord’s Rising
10.00am;     8th April
12 noon;
7.30pm                
    
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 – 8am, 10am, 12.30pm and 7.30pm

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.

For Easter services in individual parishes (in cases where we have been provided the data) please visit http://www.bne.catholic.net.au/asp/index.asp?pgid=11785 , click on the parish or area you want to attend and scroll down the page 

Released by the Catholic Communications Office