Exiit qui seminat

As we enter the celebration of Holy Week, I'd like to invite you to participate in as many of our sacramental and liturgical celebrations as possible. On Monday, March 25th, we will be offering the Sacrament of Confession from 1-3 PM and from 7-9 PM. Tuesday, March 26th is the annual Chrism Mass celebrated by Bishop Sullivan at St. Agnes Church at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Blackwood, NJ at 3:30 PM. The Chrism Mass is a celebration of the priesthood and the occasion at which the bishop consecrates the sacred oils used in the sacramental life of the Church. Your presence and prayerful support will be greatly appreciated. If you've never been to the Chrism Mass, this is always a wonderful opportunity to pray with the bishop and most of the priests of the Diocese of Camden. Thursday, March 28th is Holy Thursday and the celebration of the Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7 PM. I have fond memories of going to the Mass as a child and love the washing of the feet and the solemn procession of the Eucharist to the Altar of Repose. The church will be open until Midnight where we will pray Night Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. Holy Week continues with the celebration of Tenebræ, a Latin word that means darkness, at 7 AM on Friday, March 29th . This liturgy of the Church focuses on Christ's Passion through the singing of Psalms as candles on the altar are extinguished one by one. We'll pray the Stations of the Cross at the Groto (weather permitting) at 12 PM. The pinnacle of Good Friday is our celebration of the Passion of the Lord at 3 PM with the veneration of the Cross. We also welcome the Haitian community from North Jersey who go on pilgrimage every Good Friday and have chosen to spend it with us! On Saturday, March 30th we have the most important Mass of the whole Church year in the Easter Vigil. Starting at 8 PM after the sun has set, we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord, the light that shines forth in the darkness. On Easter Sunday, March 31st we celebrate our annual 6 AM Mass at the Garden of Saints. Our most popular Mass of Easter, come and celebrate the Resurrection as the sun rises over the horizon. Please remember to bring your own chair and to dress warmly!!! Finally our other Masses for Easter will be at 7:30 AM, 9 AM and 11 AM. On behalf of the whole parish family of St. Padre Pio, I want to offer each and every one of you a Blessed Holy Week and Easter!