PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! Hosanna in the highest!” (MK 11:10)

The Catholic Church ceremonially recalls Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem in order that he might complete his Paschal Mystery. The celebration of Mass on Palm Sunday is distinctive in that it begins with the proclamation of the Gospel recalling this grand entrance, and it is followed by the processional. The faithful receive palm branches as we enter into Church and it is customary to wave them high throughout the processional, as we sing Hosanna, a hymn of praise. The Passion of the Lord is later proclaimed, as we call to mind the mysteries that we will celebrate over the next several days leading up to Easter.

COTLF will celebrate its regular Sunday M ass Schedule on Palm Sunday, March 28th.

  • The English Vigil Mass is celebrated on Saturday Evening, at 5:00pm
  • English Masses on Sunday are at 7:30arn, 9:00am, 10:30am and 5:30pm
  • Spanish Mass on Sunday is at 12:30pm.
  • The 10:30a, 12:30p and possibly the 5:30p Masses will be live-streamed online.
  • Comber Hall will be available for overflow seating once the church reaches its seating capacity.

CHRISM TUESDAY

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, To announce a year of favor from the LORD.” (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Oil is a sacramental of great importance in our liturgical celebrations, ever since the early Church. Each year, the local bishop of each diocese blesses the three Holy Oils, which are to be used at the diocese’s parishes throughout the upcoming year. The Oil of Catechumens (used at the Easter Vigil), the Oil of the Sick (used at Anointing of the Sick), and the Oil of Chrism (used at Baptism and Confirmation), are all blessed at the Chrism Mass, a special Mass which takes place in the local cathedral. The priests of each diocese traditionally renew their commitment to priestly service during this unique Mass.

  • Archbishop Thomas Wenski will gather with the priests of the Archdiocese on Tuesday, March 30th at St. Mary’s Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Miami.
  • Jubilarian priests celebrating 25, 50, and 60 years of service are specially honored.
  • The Chrism Mass will be live-streamed online at www.miamiarch.org

SPY WEDNESDAY

“He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.” (MT 26:23-24)

On this final day of Lent, a day traditionally (and infamously) known as the day Judas Iscariot betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver, COTLF will hold a special evening of Confessions.

  • COTLF will have several priests available in the Church from 7:00 – 9:00 pm on Wednesday, March 31st to hear Confessions.
  • Everyone, especially those who have not been to Confession in some time, are specially invited to receive God’s Healing Grace as we prepare to celebrate the Sacred Triduum.

HOLY THURSDAY

“I have given you a model to follow, so that as have done for you, you should also do.” (JN 13:15)

Holy Thursday begins the Sacred Triduum, one beautiful and richly symbolic liturgy which is celebrated over a period of 3 calendar days. For Catholics, the Sacred Triduum is the most holy of holy days in the Liturgical Year (we refer to this period in the singular!).

There is only one Mass at each parish on Holy Thursday, the Evening Mass of the Lords Supper. It is during this Mass, commemorating the Last Supper, that we celebrate the institution of the Eucharist and the institution of the priesthood by Jesus Christ. The most notable aspect of this liturgy is the tradition of the Washing of the Feet. Following the example of Christ himself, priests around the world will humbly wash the feet of the faithful. This powerful moment is definitely not to be missed!

This year, 12 parishioners representing a cross-section of our parish, have been asked to participate in this ritual. Among them are 3 of our catechists (Mr. and Mrs. Alex and Carmen Santamaria and Ms. Izzy Rennella) and one of our Confirmation students (Mr. Sebastian Lopez)

  • The Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper will take place on Thursday, April 1st at 8:00pm.
  • Though the liturgy itself does not end (it continues all throughout the Triduum!), the evening concludes with a Eucharistic Procession to the Altar of Repose in Comber Hall, recalling Jesus’ retreat to Gethsemane with three of his Apostles.
  • The Blessed Sacrament will remain in Comber Hall until 12 Midnight f you cannot make it to the Mass, you are welcome to pass by Comber Hall at any point throughout the night to spend some time with Our Lord.

GOOD FRIDAY

“It is finished.” (JN 19:30)

Good Friday is the only calendar day in the entire year when no Mass is celebrated. As we commemorate the stinging death of our Lord, we mark the day by traditionally praying the Stations of the Cross and attending the Liturgy of the Passion, which includes the Veneration of the Cross and the Reception of Holy Communion.

Good Friday is on Friday, April 2nd.

  • Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 12 Noon in English.
  • The Liturgy of the Passion will be celebrated in English at 3:00prn.
  • Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 7:00 pm in Spanish.
  • The Liturgy of the Passion will be celebrated in Spanish at 8:00pm and will be immediately followed by a simple procession to Comber Hall.

** PLEASE REMEMBER THAT GOOD FRIDAY IS A DAY OF BOTH FASTING AND ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT PRODUCTS. Only 1 main meal is to be eaten on Good Friday. **

HOLY SATURDAY

“Rejoice, let Mother Church also rejoice, arrayed with the lightning of his glory, let this holy building shake with joy, filled with the mighty voices of the peoples.” (From the Easter Proclamation, “The Exultet.”)

Holy Saturday is a solemn day of quiet waiting as we meditate on Christ’s suffering and death in anticipation of the joy of His Resurrection. The Church is closed throughout the day, reminding of us the closed and sealed tomb.

In the evening, we celebrate the Liturgy of All Liturgies, the Mother of All Vigils, the Great Easter Vigil. If you have never attended the Easter Vigil before, it is worth doing so at least once in your lifetime!

The Solemn Vigil begins in complete darkness as we bless the New Fire and light the Paschal Candle. The candles of the faithful are then lit from the Paschal candle, as the light of the Resurrection grows stronger.

The first portion of the liturgy is celebrated only by candlelight and through a number of readings, we trace Salvation History from the Creation of the World, through the Old Testament prophets, and finally to the glory of the Resurrection. As the Church triumphantly sings the “Gloria!” the joy of Easter becomes fully alive as the Church bells are rung, the lights are all turned on and the altar candles are lit. For the first time since the start of Lent, we will again sing the “Alelluia!” as death and sin are defeated by Christ’s Glorious Resurrection.

During the Great Vigil, the New Water is blessed as we renew our Baptismal Promises as One Church. The Catechumens, those who have been preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation, are then Baptized and Confirmed as we welcome them into the Catholic Church. We are incredibly blessed this year to have 8 catechumens Among them is Anthony Leiva, one of our Religious Ed students, who has been preparing for this day through our program over the last few years. Please join me in praying for Anthony in these final days before he joins the Catholic church!

  • Before the Church closes for the day, several priests will be available on Saturday, April 3rd to hear Confessions, from 10:00 am to 12 Noon.
  • The Church will re-open at 6-45pm and the Great Easter Vigil will begin at 8:00pm

EASTER SUNDAY

Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous: The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.” (From the Easter Sequence, Victimae paschali laudes)

On this, the highest Feast of the year, the Joy of Easter overflows, marked by a period lasting 50 days during which we recall Christ’s post-Resurrection appearances and miracles, the pouring forth of the Spirit upon the Apostles at Pentecost, and the

foundation and growth of the early Church. THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE, LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!

Our regular Sunday Mass Schedule will be celebrated on Easter Sunday. April 4th.

  • The English Vigil Mass is celebrated on Saturday Evening, at 5:00pm
  • English Masses on Sunday are at 7:30am, 9:00am, 10:30am and 5:30pm
  • Spanish Mass on Sunday is at 12:30pm.
  • The 10:30a, 12:30p and possibly the 5:30p Masses will be live-streamed online.
  • Comber Hall will be available for overflow seating once the church reaches its seating capacity.