Lent and Holy Week Liturgy Information

During Lent we are asked to devote ourselves to seeking the Lord in prayer and Scripture, to service by giving alms and to sacrifice self-control through fasting. It is a time of preparation as we look towards the celebration of the Risen Lord on Easter Sunday.

Lent begins on March 2 with Ash Wednesday. There will be three Masses that day at 7:00am, 9:30am, and 7:00pm and will include the distribution of ashes. There will also be one Liturgy of The Word at 4:00pm that will include the distribution of ashes.

During Lent, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available from 5:00pm to 6:00pm on Wednesday evenings; as usual, the sacrament will be avaialble every Saturday from 4:00pm to 4:45pm.

There will be no Wednesday evening Masses during Lent this year.

There will be Mass each Saturday in lent at 8:00am

Eucharistic Adoration is held in the Church every Wednesday from 3:00pm – 6:00pm except on Ash Wednesday.

Stations of the Cross will be held every Friday evening in Lent beginning at 6:00pm.

Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, April 10, where palms, a reminder of Jesus’ victory over death will be available. This day commemorates Jesus’ triumphal return to Jerusalem, the Holy City.  The normal Mass schedule will be followed: Saturday at 5:00pm and Sunday Masses at 7:30am, 9:00am and 11:00am.

Wednesday April 13: There will be a Tenebrae service in the Church beginning at 8:00 pm. Tenebrae, Latin for “shadows,” is a meditation on the Passion Narrative and is intended to recreate the emotional aspects of that event. It traditionally includes Bible readings, chants and hymns and is characterized by the gradual extinguishing of candles ending with a loud noise taking place in total darkness near the end of the service.

Holy Thursday, April 14, commemorates The Mass of the Last Supper. Mass will be held at 7:30 pm followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 12:00 am (midnight).

Good Friday, April 15, commemorates the celebration of the Lord’s Passion.  There will be Stations of the Cross at 3:00 pm and the Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord will be at 7:30 pm.

Holy Saturday or the Easter Vigil, April 16: The Mass will start at 7:30 pm and will include a service of light. On this holy night, the Church keeps watch, celebrating the resurrection of Christ in the sacraments and awaiting his return in glory. It is the turning point of the Triduum, the Passover of the new covenant, which marks Christ's passage from death to life.

Easter Sunday, April 17, is the most important and joyous of all liturgical times. Easter is the glorious celebration of the Lord's resurrection from the dead, culminating in his Ascension to the Father and sending of the Holy Spirit upon the Church. Easter Masses will be celebrated at 7:30 am, 9:00 am and 11:00 am.

A sincere invitation is extended to anyone who would like to attend St. Mary Parish located at 77 Mendon Street in Uxbridge. We welcome you. The parish office is open Sunday through Thursday and you may call 508-278-2226 if you have any questions.

Click on image below for more information and Holy Week activities from Loyola Press