From the Pastor
Fr. Mike Comer shares his thoughts on Scripture, spirituality and the challenges of living the Gospel.
holy week begins
March 29, 2026
Today we begin the most sacred and holy time in the Church’s year—Holy Week, during which we reflect on the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ. The liturgies of this week are intended to plunge us into the saving events through which Jesus defeated sin and death and won for us eternal life.
Palm/Passion Sunday begins outside (weather permitting) with the blessing of palms. This recalls the triumphal entry into Jerusalem by Christ and His Apostles. Riding on the back of a donkey, Jesus is greeted by hundreds of His followers, who proclaim Him to be the Son of David, the Messiah. After proceeding in, carrying our blessed palms, we have the reading of the Passion of St. Matthew.
The Chrism Mass, the Diocesan Mass to which all parishes are invited to attend, happens on Tuesday of Holy Week, at the Cathedral, at 7 pm. At that Mass, Bishop Iffert will bless the sacred oils (Oil of Catechumens, Oil of the Infirm, and the Sacred Chrism) that are used throughout the year. At the end of the liturgy, there will be a procession of parishes, during which the oils will be distributed. The bishop will also lead the priests in their annual renewal of their priestly promises.
On Holy Thursday, we celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, recalling the institution of the Eucharist, and the Washing of the Feet of the Apostles. That Mass will begin at 7:30 pm. It concludes with a procession with the Blessed Sacrament, an hour of adoration, and then the Eucharist is removed from the church. There will be a Holy Thursday dinner at 5:30 pm. All are welcome to attend.
Palm/Passion Sunday begins outside (weather permitting) with the blessing of palms. This recalls the triumphal entry into Jerusalem by Christ and His Apostles. Riding on the back of a donkey, Jesus is greeted by hundreds of His followers, who proclaim Him to be the Son of David, the Messiah. After proceeding in, carrying our blessed palms, we have the reading of the Passion of St. Matthew.
The Chrism Mass, the Diocesan Mass to which all parishes are invited to attend, happens on Tuesday of Holy Week, at the Cathedral, at 7 pm. At that Mass, Bishop Iffert will bless the sacred oils (Oil of Catechumens, Oil of the Infirm, and the Sacred Chrism) that are used throughout the year. At the end of the liturgy, there will be a procession of parishes, during which the oils will be distributed. The bishop will also lead the priests in their annual renewal of their priestly promises.
On Holy Thursday, we celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, recalling the institution of the Eucharist, and the Washing of the Feet of the Apostles. That Mass will begin at 7:30 pm. It concludes with a procession with the Blessed Sacrament, an hour of adoration, and then the Eucharist is removed from the church. There will be a Holy Thursday dinner at 5:30 pm. All are welcome to attend.
On Good Friday we celebrate the Passion of the Lord. No Mass can be celebrated on Good Friday, but Communion will be distributed at the service. The priests and ministers enter in silence. Then we read the Passion of St. John. There are a long series of intercessions done by the priest and deacon. This is followed by the veneration of the Cross. We then celebrate Communion, followed by a silent, solemn recession.
Saturday is known as Holy Saturday. It continues our honoring of the death of Jesus. At sundown we begin the Easter Vigil, the most solemn Mass of the Church year. The Jews counted their days from sundown to sundown, so liturgically we do the same. We have the Liturgy of Light with the lighting of the Easter fire, the Paschal candle, the procession with candles, and the singing of the Exultet. After the Liturgy of the Word, we have the Liturgy of Initiation. This year, at Mother of God Church, we have a fairly large group of people who will be baptized, confirmed and receive First Eucharist. All of us will renew our baptismal promises at this Mass. Then we continue with the Mass.
Finally, there is Easter Sunday. Actually, it feels a little anti-climactic after all that has come before. The only special aspect of this morning’s Mass is the renewal of baptismal promises.
—Fr. Mike Comer
Saturday is known as Holy Saturday. It continues our honoring of the death of Jesus. At sundown we begin the Easter Vigil, the most solemn Mass of the Church year. The Jews counted their days from sundown to sundown, so liturgically we do the same. We have the Liturgy of Light with the lighting of the Easter fire, the Paschal candle, the procession with candles, and the singing of the Exultet. After the Liturgy of the Word, we have the Liturgy of Initiation. This year, at Mother of God Church, we have a fairly large group of people who will be baptized, confirmed and receive First Eucharist. All of us will renew our baptismal promises at this Mass. Then we continue with the Mass.
Finally, there is Easter Sunday. Actually, it feels a little anti-climactic after all that has come before. The only special aspect of this morning’s Mass is the renewal of baptismal promises.
—Fr. Mike Comer
