Holy Week is the most important week in the Christian year. It truly us a holy week that takes us from Christ's triumphant entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, through the moving events of Maundy Thursday, the pain and desolation of Good Friday, to the triumphant light and joy of the resurrection.
Faithful Christians journey through these profoundly moving days by participating in the Church's rich and ancient liturgies. You are most welcome to join us as we journey with our Lord from death to life, from darkness to the bright light of Easter.
All services are at St Nicholas unless otherwise indicated.
Sunday 13th April - Palm Sunday
The liturgy for Palm Sunday, which is celebrated at 10.00 am, features the blessing of palms and a procession into church, recalling the triumphant entry of our Lord into the Holy City of Jerusalem. On this day the gospel reading takes the form of a dramatic reading of the Passion.
- 8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)
- 9.00 am Eucharist at St Leonard's South Stoke
- 10.00 am Liturgy of Palms and Sung Mass for Palm Sunday
Monday 14th April - Holy Monday
- 12.00 Said Mass in the Lady Chapel
Tuesday 15th April - Holy Tuesday
- 6.30 pm Said Mass in the Lady Chapel with exposition of the blessed sacrament from 5.45 pm.
Wednesday 16th April - Holy Wednesday
- 10.00 am Holy Communion (BCP) in the Lady Chapel
- 6.30 pm Said Mass in the Lady Chapel
Thursday 17th April - Maundy Thursday
In the liturgy for Maundy Thursday we recall Jesus’ supreme example of humble service in washing the feet of his disciples. This liturgy also commemorates the institution of the Eucharist in the upper room. The final feature of this day is the Watch before the blessed sacrament, recalling Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. People are free to come and go during the hours of the Watch.
- 8.00 pm Sung Mass of the Lord's Supper, followed by the Watch.
- 11.50 pm Compline
Friday 18th April - Good Friday
The ancient liturgy for Good Friday consists of three major parts: in the liturgy of the word we hear the story of our Lord's Passion and Crucifixion; in the veneration of the cross we adore our Lord in his sacrifice; in the reception of Holy Communion we become one with our Lord in his death that we might also share in his resurrection.
- 10.00 am Good Friday Children's Activity
- 1.30 pm Celebration of the Lord's Passion
Saturday 19th April - Holy Saturday
In this special service marking the beginning of our Easter celebrations, our watching and waiting throughout Lent is rewarded with light.
Our service begins outside, where from a new fire the Paschal Candle is lit. As we process into the church, the light from the candle is shared amongst the congregation. We celebrate the victory of light over darkness, of life over death, as we hear scriptural readings telling of our creation by God and how he restores us to new life. We then renew our baptismal vows, before sharing in the First Mass of Easter.
- 8.00 pm Easter Vigil and the first Mass of Easter
Sunday 20th April - Easter Day
On Easter Day we celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Lord with great joy and thanksgiving.
- 8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)
- 9.00 am Eucharist at St Leonard's South Stoke
- 10.00 am Sung Mass of the Resurrection