Resources for Holy Week

Thursday 25th March 2021

As we approach our most important week of the year – Holy Week – the way we follow Christ – from his triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, to the foot of the Cross, to an empty tomb – will be somewhat different again this year.

People around our diocese are facing different challenges, and Coronavirus continues to affect us all in some way. This list has been compiled to help you to sustain your prayer life this Holy Week.

Guidance from the Bishops’ Conference can be found here

Livestreaming

Given the risks of the pandemic that currently persist, Catholics may judge they are unable to attend Sunday Mass at this time. These risks constitute a valid reason to stay away, without sin. As restrictions ease and you feel able to return to Sunday Mass with reduced risk, you will be welcomed warmly.

Please note, some of our churches are open with Covid restrictions in place, such as social distancing, face masks and reduced capacity. We recommend that you check directly with your local parish of the times of their Masses. You can find our directory here.

Many of our parishes continue to livestream Mass for those unable to attend in person, including at Salford Cathedral.

Bishop John will be live streaming Mass from the Cathedral on:

Palm Sunday 11am

Mass of the Sacred Chrism – Wednesday 11am (please note, this is livestreamed only)

Mass of the Lord’s Supper – Thursday 7.30pm

Liturgy of the Passion – Friday 3pm

Easter Vigil – Saturday 8.30pm

Liturgy at Home

For those still at home and not attending Mass, the Liturgy Office has prepared a sheet called ‘The Lord’s Day at Home’, based on the Sunday Scriptures, so that you can pray on your own or with your family. It is particularly aimed at those not able to follow a Mass on in the internet.

LDAH Palm Sunday

LDAH Maundy Thursday

LDAH Good Friday

LDAH Easter Sunday

The Bishops’ Conference have also recommended that “The Liturgy of the Hours should be promoted by parish priests to the faithful who are unable to attend the local church as an additional means of uniting themselves in prayer to the worship of the Universal Church,” so the Liturgy Office has prepared single sheet versions of key offices for the Paschal Triduum:

Evening Prayer for Maundy Thursday

Evening Prayer for Good Friday

Evening Prayer for Holy Saturday

The Office of Readings for Easter Sunday

Resources

A resource for children can be found here

Loyola Press have compiled a number of 3-minute Retreats to support you during Holy Week, which you can find below

3-Minute Retreat: In the Name of the Lord
3-Minute Retreat: The Lord’s Supper
3-Minute Retreat: The Passion of the Lord
3-Minute Retreat: Easter Vigil

Learn more about Holy Week and the Easter story in this resource from the God Who Speaks team here

You can find a visual poster for Holy Week which you can display in your homes by clicking here

Caritas Stations of the Cross

A huge response from schools around our diocese has enabled Caritas to produce 3 unique short videos, each containing 5 Stations of the Cross with accompanying reflections and prayers representing the voices of the voiceless – the most vulnerable in our communities whom Caritas work with on a daily basis thanks to the generosity of our schools, parishes and supporters.

Caritas is now pleased to share these video Stations of the Cross with you as part of our #LockdownLent prayer resources.

Stations 1-5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UUi0zHIGWU
Stations 6-10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vodabhHE9C0
Stations 11-15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHqLSQ1cfqc