Today we commemorate the death of the Lord. The solemn liturgy of the Lord's Passion took place at 3pm. We listened to the Word of God, venerated the Cross of Christ, and received Holy Communion. The cross is at the heart of this celebration: we are reminded that upon this wood hung the salvation of the world. So the cross is hailed as "our hope" - because Jesus, our Saviour, chose this as the instrument of salvation. Today's celebration took place without electric light, recalling the darkness that hung over the whole land as Jesus died on the cross for our salvation. Now we await the resurrection, the celebration of which begins at 8:30pm on Saturday, with the Easter Vigil and first Mass of the Resurrection. Easter Sunday Mass is at 9:30am and 6pm. Click below to see more images of today's beautiful celebration.

This evening we began our celebration of the sacred Triduum - the three days in which Our Lord gives Himself to us in the Eucharist, gives Himself for us on the Cross, and rises from the dead, that He might open for us the way to eternal life. The Mass of the Lord's Supper, which begins these three days, allows us to be present at the last meal shared by Jesus and His disciples - a meal at which He gave us the Eucharist and the Priesthood, He washed the feet of His disciples as an example of service, and gave us the new commandment: "Love one another, as I have loved you."

All of these events are celebrated at this liturgy. At the end of Mass, the Blessed Sacrament is carried in procession to the Altar of Repose, which represents the garden of Gethsemane. Here we have the opportunity to do what Jesus asked of Peter, James and John: to stay, keep watch and pray with Him as He accepts the Father's will. The Altar of Repose is beautifully decorated with candles and flowers, in honour of Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist, and interceding for us in our need. If you are reading this before midnight on Holy Thursday, call in and spend some time in prayer: the Lord is there, waiting for you. More images of tonight's Mass in the gallery below.

Holy Week is the most important week of the Church's year. The purpose of Holy Week is to relive and particpate in the passion of Jesus Christ. It is our opportunity to be there at the Last Supper, at the foot of the Cross, and at the empty tomb on Easter morning.

The events of Holy Week are:

Holy Week and Easter Services

25:March	Palm Sunday (or Passion Sunday), the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem.
29:March	Holy Thursday (or Maundy Thursday), the institution of Communion and the betrayal by Judas.
30:March	Good Friday, the arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus Christ.
31:March	Holy Saturday, the Sabbath on which Jesus rested in the grave.
	Holy Week Liturgy 2018 HOT A full list of the Liturgy for Holy Week 2018 at St Clare's.

Maundy Thursday: This day takes its name from the Latin ‘Mandatum’ (command), because of Jesus’ command given that night: "Love one another, as I have loved you".  Today in our Cathedral all the priests of the Diocese will gather with the Bishop to renew their priestly commitment.  At that Mass also, the Holy Oils for use in the Diocese throughout the year will be blessed.  Hence the name: The Chrism Mass.

That evening at 7pm we celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper, recalling the institution of the Eucharist by our Lord and how He linked this with service by washing the feet of his Apostles. Twelve people will have their feet washed at the Mass. After this Mass, there will be ‘watching’ at the Altar of Repose in memory of the time spent by Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Watching will conclude with Night Prayer at just before midnight.

Good Friday: Today we celebrate the Passion and Death of our Lord.  We follow his path with Stations of the Cross at 10am and then, at 3pm enter into the Solemn Liturgy of his Passion. At 7pm there will be a reflective service of prayer around the cross, including night prayer and lasting around 30mins.

Holy Saturday: The day when the Church in hope of Christ’s Resurrection.  The Easter Vigil begins at 8.30pm.  In this Vigil, when we celebrate Christ rising from the dead, all things are made new.  We bless fire, light and water; we proclaim the Gospel of the Resurrection, we renew our own Baptismal Promises. We sing ‘Alleluia’ as we celebrate the first Mass of Easter and receive the Risen Lord in Holy Communion.

Tonight we had the first meeting of our CTS Book Club, a chance to share some reflections on our spiritual reading.