Faithful from across each county in the Diocese of Trenton are preparing to gather together to celebrate annual sacred liturgies and services throughout
Holy Week 2019, April 15-19.
The Chrism Mass, one of the most solemn and significant liturgies in the Church year will once again be celebrated by
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.,who will be joined by brother priests from around the Diocese. The Chrism Mass will be celebrated April 15 at 7:30 p.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine, Co-Cathedral, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold.
During the Chrism Mass, Bishop O’Connell blesses three separate oils that will be used in parishes throughout the coming year.
The Mass of Chrism is also when all priests of the Diocese stand before the Bishop and recommit themselves to their priestly service and vocation.
Additionally, the Diocesan Tenebrae service will be held in St. Catharine Church, 215 Essex Ave, Spring Lake, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. The service will be celebrated by Msgr. Harold Cullen, pastor of St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish, Spring Lake.
Tenebrae service revives an ancient tradition that calls to mind the Passion of Christ in a darkened setting. Tenebrae, which means darkness or shadows, is traditionally held in the evenings of Holy Week, particularly in the Triduum, and portrays Jesus’ Passion with prayed and sung psalms, lessons and chants which express grief.
Both events will be live-streamed and links to the live-streams will be made available on the
Diocese of Trenton Website and
TrentonMontior.com, as well as shared on the Diocesan social media accounts. Be sure to like and follow the Diocese of Trenton on
Facebook and
Twitter as well as like and follow the Trenton Monitor on
Facebook and
Twitter to see the shared livestream links as well as day-of coverage from each service.
Comprehensive coverage from throughout Holy Week and Easter will be published beginning in the May 2 print-edition of
The Monitor. Check back with
TrentonMonitor.com in the coming weeks for articles and photo galleries from all of the Holy Week and Easter celebrations.