Patrick Comerford
Introduction:
Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, which falls this year on 5 April 2020. The readings and liturgical resources for Palm Sunday can be found in the posting earlier this morning HERE.
However, finding the readings and resources for the rest of Holy Week can be a difficult task that involves turning to different sections in the Book of Common Prayer, the Church Hymnal, the Church of Ireland Directory and Bishop Edward Darling’s Sing to the Word – all at one and the same time.
This posting is designed to help clergy and readers in the Diocese of Limerick and Killaloe and the Diocese of Tuam, Killala and Achonry to find all these resources in one package.
Liturgical resources for Holy Week
A valuable, recent resource book is Week of All Weeks by Bishop Harold Miller, a prayer book for Holy Week and Easter (Dublin: Church of Ireland Publishing, 2015).
Collects, Canticles and other Liturgical resources:
The Lenten Collect:
Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
Create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
This collect may be said after the Collect of the day until Easter Eve.
Collects and Post-Communion Prayers are provided for each day in Holy Week (see pp 264-271), except Good Friday, when there is a Collect but no Post-Communion Prayer (see p 270).
The Book of Common Prayer recommends the Commandments should be read at the Penitence during Lent.
It is recommended that the canticle Gloria is omitted in Lent.
Traditionally in Anglicanism, the doxology or Gloria at the end of Canticles and Psalms is also omitted during Lent.
Passiontide and Holy Week:
Penitential Kyries:
Lord God,
you sent your Son to reconcile us to yourself and to one another.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus,
you heal the wounds of sin and division.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Holy Spirit,
through you we put to death the sins of the body – and live.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Introduction to the Peace:
Now in union with Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near through the shedding of Christ’s blood; for he is our peace. (Ephesians 2: 17)
Preface:
Through Jesus Christ our Saviour,
who, for the redemption of the world,
humbled himself to death on the cross;
that, being lifted up from the earth,
he might draw all people to himself:
Blessing:
Christ draw you to himself
and grant that you find in his cross a sure ground for faith,
a firm support for hope,
and the assurance of sins forgiven:
Liturgical Colours in Holy Week:
Monday to Wednesday: Red or Violet
Maundy Thursday: Red or Violet, but White at the Holy Communion
Good Friday and Saturday: No liturgical colours should be used.
Holy Week:
Monday in Holy Week, 6 April 2020:
Readings:
Isaiah 42: 1-9; Psalm 36: 5-11; Hebrews 9: 11-15; John 12: 1-11.
There is a link to the readings HERE.
Collect:
Almighty God,
whose most dear Son went not up to joy,
but first he suffered pain,
and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of his cross,
may find it none other than the way of life and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Post Communion Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ,
you humbled yourself in taking the form of a servant
and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation.
Give us the mind to follow you
and to proclaim you as Lord and King,
to the glory of God the Father.
Suggested Hymns:
Isaiah 42: 1-9:
643, Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
691, Faithful vigil ended
353, Give to our God immortal praise
330, God is here! As we his people
124, Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes
357, I’ll praise my maker while I’ve breath
97, Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
99, Jesus, the name high over all
134, Make way, make way for Christ the King
305, O Breath of life, come sweeping through us
104, O for a thousand tongues to sing
605, Will you come and follow me
Psalm 36: 5-11:
6, Immortal, invisible, God only wise
553, Jesu, lover of my soul
Hebrews 9: 11-15:
411, Draw near and take the body of the Lord
220, Glory be to Jesus
417, He gave his life in endless love
418, Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face
94, In the name of Jesus
671, Jesus, thy blood and righteousness
439, Once, only once, and once for all
528, The Church’s one foundation
9, There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
291, Where high the heavenly temple stands
John 12: 1-11:
517, Brother, sister, let me serve you
548, Drop, drop, slow tears
523, Help us to help each other, Lord
495, Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love
101, Jesus, the very thought of thee
587, Just as I am without one plea
7, My God, how wonderful thou art
597, Take my life, and let it be
499, When I needed a neighbour, were you there
Tuesday in Holy Week, 7 April 2020:
Readings:
Isaiah 49: 1-7; Psalm 71: 1-14; I Corinthians 1: 18-31; John 12: 20-36.
There is a link to the readings HERE.
The Collect:
O God,
who by the passion of your blessed Son made
an instrument of shameful death
to be for us the means of life:
Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ,
that we may gladly suffer pain and loss
for the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
The Post-Communion Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ,
you humbled yourself in taking the form of a servant
and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation.
Give us the mind to follow you
and to proclaim you as Lord and King,
to the glory of God the Father.
Suggested Hymns:
Isaiah 49: 1-7:
685, Blessed be the God of Israel
691, Faithful vigil ended
481, God is working his purpose out as year succeeds to year
125, Hail to the Lord’s anointed
192, How brightly beams the morning star
706, O bless the God of Israel
595, Safe in the shadow of the Lord
Psalm 71: 1-14:
643, Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
459, For all the saints who from their labours rest (verses 1-3)
668, God is our fortress and our rock
620, O Lord, hear my prayer
557, Rock of ages, cleft for me
595, Safe in the shadow of the Lord
I Corinthians 1: 18-31:
643, Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
646, Glorious things of thee are spoken
225, In the cross of Christ I glory
698, Jesus, Saviour of the world
671, Jesus, thy blood and righteousness
484, Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
232, Nature with open volume stands
241, Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle
600, The wise may bring their learning
248, We sing the praise of him who died
247, When I survey the wondrous cross
John 12: 20-36:
348, Father, we love you, we worship and adore you
668, God is our fortress and our rock
43, Holy is the seed–time, when the buried grain
484, Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
227, Man of sorrows! What a name
278, Now the green blade rises from the buried grain (omit verse 3)
237, O my Saviour, lifted
241, Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle
473, Síormoladh is glóir duit, a Athair shíorai (All glory and praise to you, Father, above)
490, The Spirit lives to set us free
Wednesday in Holy Week, 8 April 2020:
Readings:
Isaiah 50: 4-9a; Psalm 70; Hebrews 12: 1-3; John 13: 21-32.
There is a link to the readings HERE.
The Collect:
Lord God,
whose blessed Son our Saviour
gave his back to the smiters,
and did not hide his face from shame:
Give us grace to endure the sufferings
of this present time,
with sure confidence in the glory that shall be revealed;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
Post Communion Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ,
you humbled yourself in taking the form of a servant
and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation.
Give us the mind to follow you
and to proclaim you as Lord and King,
to the glory of God the Father.
Suggested Hymns:
Isaiah 50: 4-9a:
259, Christ triumphant, ever reigning
230, My Lord, what love is this
235, O sacred head, sore wounded
108, Praise to the Holiest in the height
239, See Christ was wounded for our sake
Psalm 70:
620, O Lord, hear my prayer
596, Seek ye first the kingdom of God
Hebrews 12: 1-3:
258, Christ the Lord is risen again
566, Fight the good fight with all thy might
463, Give us the wings of faith to rise
417, He gave his life in selfless love
636, May the mind of Christ my Saviour
240, Sweet the moments, rich in blessing
285, The head that once was crowned with thorns
247, When I survey the wondrous cross
376, Ye holy angels bright
John 13: 21-32:
215, Ah, holy Jesu, how hast thou offended
257, Christ is the world’s Redeemer
224, How deep the Father’s love for us
226, It is a thing most wonderful
227, Man of sorrows! What a name
230, My Lord, what love is this
234, O Love divine, what hast thou done?
235, O sacred head, sore wounded
242, The heavenly Word proceeding forth
Maundy Thursday, 9 April 2020:
The liturgical colour changes on this day from the Violet of Lent or the Red of Passiontide to White, and the Eucharist or Holy Communion is to be ‘celebrated in every cathedral and in each parish church or in a church within a parochial union or group of parishes.’
It is traditional in dioceses too to have a celebration of the Chrism Eucharist in a cathedral or church in the diocese, when the bishops, priests, deacons and readers renew their vows.
Other possible resources for Maundy Thursday include foot-washing, which was introduced to Castletown Church, Kilcornan (Pallaskenry) three years ago. There are full resources for this in Bishop Miller’s Week of All Weeks.
Readings: Exodus 12: 1-4 (5-10), 11-14; Psalm 116: 1, 10-17; I Corinthians 11: 23-26; John 13: 1-17, 31b-35.
There is a link to the readings HERE.
The Collect:
God our Father,
you have invited us to share in the supper
which your Son gave to his Church
to proclaim his death until he comes:
May he nourish us by his presence,
and unite us in his love;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
or
Almighty God,
at the Last Supper your Son Jesus Christ
washed the disciples’ feet
and commanded them to love one another.
Give us humility and obedience to be servants of others
as he was the servant of all;
who gave up his life and died for us,
yet is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Post Communion Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ,
in this wonderful sacrament
you have given us a memorial of your passion.
Grant us so to reverence the sacred mysteries
of your body and blood
that we may know within ourselves
the fruits of your redemption,
for you are alive and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
or
O God,
your Son Jesus Christ has left us this meal of bread and wine
in which we share his body and his blood.
May we who celebrate this sign of his great love
show in our lives the fruits of his redemption;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Suggested Hymns:
Exodus 12: 1-4 (5-10) 11-14:
258, Christ the Lord is risen again
328, Come on and celebrate
268, Hail, thou once-despisèd Jesus
431, Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour
703, Now lives the Lamb of God
Psalm 116: 1, 10-17:
10, All my hope on God is founded
51, Awake, my soul, and with the sun
411, Draw near and take the body of the Lord
362, O God, beyond all praising
363, O Lord of heaven and earth and sea
I Corinthians 11: 23-26:
396, According to thy gracious word
403, Bread of the world in mercy broken
404, Broken for me, broken for you
405, By Christ redeemed, in Christ restored
406, Christians, lift your hearts and voices
411, Draw near and take the body of the Lord
415, For the bread which you have broken
414, God, whose love is all around us
417, He gave his life in selfless love
420, ‘I am the bread of life’ (omitting verses 4 and 5)
421, I come with joy, a child of God
423, Jesus, our Master, on the night that they came
425, Jesus, thou joy of loving hearts
421, Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us
432, Love is his word, love is his way
433, My God, your table here is spread
437, Now my tongue the mystery telling (Part 1)
438, O thou, who at thy eucharist didst pray
439, Once, only once, and once for all
442, Praise the Lord, rise up rejoicing
451, We come as guests invited
532, Who are we who stand and sing
John 13: 1-17, 31b-35:
515, ‘A new commandment I give unto you’
399, An upper room did our Lord prepare
325, Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One, is here
516, Belovèd, let us love: love is of God
630, Blessed are the pure in heart
517, Brother, sister, let me serve you
570, Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning
520, God is love, and where true love is, God himself is there
312, Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost
416, Great God, your love has called us here
523, Help us to help each other, Lord
495, Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love
525, Let there be love shared among us
432, Love is his word, love is his way
228, Meekness and majesty
231, My song is love unknown
105, O the deep, deep love of Jesus
438, O thou who at thy eucharist didst pray
244, There is a green hill far away
314, There’s a spirit in the air
530, Ubi caritas et amor
531, Where love and loving kindness dwell
Good Friday, 10 April 2020:
There is no provision for a liturgical colour, and there is no celebration of Holy Communion on Good Friday or on the Saturday.
You may never even contemplate going as far as some of the Good Friday processions I have seen in Spain, Italy, Greece and Cyprus. But planning a Procession of the Cross, or ecumenical Stations of the Cross, on the streets in a parish can be a powerful public witness.
Other creative options include a service based on the Seven Last Words (see Bishop Miller’s Week of All Weeks, pp 51-57), and a service with Tenebrae (see Bishop Miller’s Week of All Weeks, pp 58-61).
The Seven Last Words traditionally are:
1, Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing
2, Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise
3, Here is you son … here is your mother
4, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
5, I am thirsty
6, It is finished
7, Father, into your hands I commend my spirit
Each passage here has a link to a reflection from a service in All Saints’ Church, Grangegorman, Dublin, on Good Friday 2015.
The Readings:
Isaiah 52: 13 to 53: 12; Psalm 22; Hebrews 10: 16-25 or Hebrews 4: 14-16, 5: 7-9; John 18: 1 to 19: 42. In the evening: John 19: 38-42 or Colossians 1: 18-23.
There is a link to the readings HERE.
The Collect:
Almighty Father,
Look with mercy on this your family
for which our Lord Jesus Christ
was content to be betrayed
and given up into the hands of sinners
and to suffer death upon the cross;
who is alive and glorified with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
No Post Communion Prayer is provided for Good Friday.
Suggested hymns:
Isaiah 52: 13 to 53: 12:
215, Ah, holy Jesu, how hast thou offended
404, Broken for me, broken for you
219, From heav’n you came, helpless babe
268, Hail, thou once-despisèd Jesus
417, He gave his life in selfless love
273, Led like a lamb to the slaughter (omit verse 2)
275, Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious
227, Man of sorrows! What a name
230, My Lord, what love is this?
231, My song is love unknown (omit verses 4-6)
235, O sacred head, sore wounded
107, One day when heaven was filled with his praises
239, See, Christ was wounded for our sake
Psalm 22:
671, Jesus, thy blood and righteousness
361, Now thank we all our God
233, O dearest Lord, thy sacred head
537, O God, our help in ages past
240, Sweet the moments, rich in blessing
247, When I survey the wondrous cross
Hebrews 10: 16-25:
218, And can it be that I should gain
220, Glory be to Jesus
382, Help us, O Lord, to learn
222, Here is love, vast as the ocean
431, Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour
619, Lord, teach us how to pray aright
638, O for a heart to praise my God
227, O my Saviour, lifted
166, O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness
341, Spirit divine, attend our prayers
Alternative Second Reading, Hebrews 4: 14-16; 5: 7-9:
218, And can it be that I should gain
65, At evening when the sun had set
319, Father, of heaven, whose love profound
226, It is a thing most wonderful
652, Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
431, Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour
228, Meekness and majesty
291, Where high the heavenly temple stands
John 18: 1 to 19: 42:
215, Ah, holy Jesu, how hast thou offended
216, Alleluia, my Father
561, Beneath the cross of Jesus
220, Glory be to Jesus
221, Hark! the voice of love and mercy
417, He gave his life in selfless love
222, Here is love vast as the ocean
226, It is a thing most wonderful
132, Lo! he comes with clouds descending
275, Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious
227, Man of sorrows! What a name
229, My God, I love thee; not because
231, My song is love unknown
102, Name of all majesty
232, Nature with open volume stands
233, O dearest Lord, thy sacred head
234, O Love divine! What hast thou done?
237, O my Saviour, lifted
235, O sacred head, sore wounded
236, On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross
557, Rock of ages, cleft for me
239, See, Christ was wounded for our sake
241, Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle
240, Sweet the moments, rich in blessing
285, The head that once was crowned with thorns
243 The royal banners forward go
244, There is a green hill far away
245, To mock your reign, O dearest Lord
248, We sing the praise of him who died
246, Were you there when they crucified my Lord? (omit verse 6)
247, When I survey the wondrous cross
Holy Saturday, 11 April 2020:
Readings:
Job 14: 1-14 or Lamentations 3: 1-9, 19-24; Psalm 31: 1-4, 15-16; I Peter 4: 1-8; Matthew 27: 57-66 or John 19:38-42.
There is a link to the readings HERE.
The Collect:
Grant, Lord,
that we who are baptised into the death
of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
may continually put to death our evil desires
and be buried with him;
and that through the grave and gate of death
we may pass to our joyful resurrection;
through his merits, who died and was buried
and rose again for us,
your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
No Post Communion is provided for this Saturday.
Suggested Hymns:
Job 14: 1-14:
6, Immortal, invisible, God only wise
537, O God, our help in ages past
308, Revive your Church, O Lord
Lamentations 3: 1-9, 19-24:
59, New every morning is the love
374, When all thy mercies, O my God
Psalm 31: 1-4, 15-16:
459, For all the saints who from their labours rest (verses 1-3)
668, God is our fortress and our rock
620, O Lord, hear my prayer
557, Rock of ages, cleft for me
595, Safe in the shadow of the Lord
I Peter 4: 1-8:
515, ‘A new commandment I give unto you’
525, Let there be love shared among us
Matthew 27: 57-66:
102, Name of all majesty
239, See, Christ was wounded for our sake
John 19: 38-42:
231, My song is love unknown
239, See, Christ was wounded for our sake
The Easter Vigil, 11 April 2020:
The celebration of Easter may begin after sundown with the Easter Vigil or the Midnight Eucharist on what is liturgically Easter Sunday, although it is still Saturday evening in the calendar.
Traditionally, the Easter Vigil consists of four parts:
● The Service of Light
● The Liturgy of the Word
● The Liturgy of Baptism, which may include the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation for new members of the Church and the renewal of Baptismal Promises by the rest of the congregation
● The Eucharist
The Liturgy begins after sundown as the crowd gathers inside the unlit church, in the darkness, often in a side chapel of the church building, but preferably outside the church. A new fire, kindled and blessed by the priest, symbolises the light of salvation and hope that God brought into the world through the Resurrection of Christ, dispelling the darkness of sin and death.
The Paschal Candle, symbolising the Light of Christ, is lit from this fire. This tall candle is placed on the altar, and on its side five grains of incense are embedded, representing the five wounds of Christ and the burial spices with which his body was anointed. When these are fixed in it and the candle is lit, it is placed on the Gospel side of the altar and remains there until Ascension Day.
This Paschal candle will be used throughout the season of Easter, remaining in the sanctuary of the Church or near the lectern. Throughout the coming year at baptisms and funerals, it reminds all that that Christ is ‘light and life.’
All baptised people present – those who have received the Light of Christ – are given candles that are lit from the Paschal candle. As this symbolic Light of Christ spreads throughout those gathered, the darkness diminishes and dies out.
A deacon or a priest carries the Paschal Candle at the head of the entrance procession and, at three points, stops and chants the proclamation ‘Light of Christ’ or ‘Christ our Light,’ to which the people respond: ‘Thanks be to God.’
When the procession ends, the deacon or a cantor chants the Exultet, or Easter Proclamation, said to have been written by Saint Ambrose of Milan. The church is now lit only by the people’s candles and the Paschal candle, and the people take their seats for the Liturgy of the Word.
The Liturgy of the Word consists of between two and seven readings from the Old Testament. The account of the Exodus is given particular attention as it is the Old Testament antetype of Christian salvation.
Each reading is followed by a psalm and a prayer relating what has been read in the Old Testament to the Mystery of Christ.
After these readings, the Gloria is sung, and during an outburst of musical jubilation the people’s candles are extinguished, the church lights are turned on, and the bells rung. The altar frontals, the reredos, the lectern hangings, the processional banners, the statues and the paintings, which were stripped or covered during Holy Week or at the end of the Maundy Thursday Eucharist, are now ceremonially replaced and unveiled, and flowers are placed on the altar.
A reading from the Epistle to the Romans is proclaimed, and the Alleluia is sung for the first time since the beginning of Lent. The Gospel of the Resurrection then follows, along with a homily.
After the Liturgy of the Word, the water of the baptismal font is blessed, and any catechumens or candidates for full communion are initiated. After these celebrations, all present renew their baptismal vows and are sprinkled with baptismal water. The general intercessions follow.
The Easter Vigil then concludes with the Liturgy of the Eucharist. This is the first Eucharist of Easter Day. During the Eucharist, the newly baptised receive Holy Communion for the first time, and, according to the rubrics, the Eucharist should finish before dawn.
Readings:
Old Testament Readings and Psalms:
Genesis 1: 1 to 2:4a; Response: Psalm 136: 1-9, 23-26;
Genesis 7: 1-5, 11-18; 8: 6-18; 9: 8-13; Response: Psalm 46;
Genesis 22: 1-18; Response: Psalm 16;
Exodus 14: 10-31; 15: 20-21 and Exodus 15: 1b-13, 17-18;
Isaiah 55: 1-11; Canticle 23: Song of Isaiah (Isaiah 12: 2-6);
Baruch 3: 9-15, 32 to 4: 4 or Proverbs 8: 1-8, 19-21, 9: 4b-6; Response: Psalm 19;
Ezekiel 36: 24-28; Response: Psalm 42 and 43;
Ezekiel 37: 1-14; Response: Psalm 143;
Zephaniah 3: 14-20; Response: Psalm 98.
New Testament Reading and Psalm:
Romans 6: 3-11; Response: Psalm 114.
The Gospel:
Matthew 28: 1-10.
There is a link to the Easter Vigil readings HERE.
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org
Material from the Book of Common Prayer is copyright © 2004, Representative Body of the Church of Ireland.
The hymns suggestions for Holy Week are provided in Sing to the Word (2000), edited by Bishop Edward Darling. The hymn numbers refer to the Church of Ireland’s Church Hymnal (5th edition, Oxford: OUP, 2000)
