Holy Saturday 2026 - Morning Prayer - Jesus descended into Hell

 

In the Apostle’s Creed we profess that after Christ was crucified, died and buried, “He descended into Hell.” Christ was not condemned to Hell, like the rest of humanity. Rather he descended; he went willingly and with purpose.

The Catechism says, “Jesus, like all men, experienced death and in his soul joined the others in the realm of the dead. But he descended there as Savior, proclaiming the Good News to the spirits imprisoned there.
From the time of Adam, all who died, whether evil or righteous were deprived of the vision of God. And Christ went to those who souls who awaited their Savior. The ancient homily for Holy Saturday puts it this way: “he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve…the Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory.”

I remember my first holy Saturday as a seminarian. I was home for the triduum, and I went to pray in my home parish church. And I brought with me my breviary, the liturgy of the hours, and for the first time encountering the famous patristic reading describing Jesus descending into hell preaching to Adam, the first man, who has been asleep in death from time immemorial.

Listen to these words, spoken by Christ: ‘I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated.

In order to prepare for easter, Jesus descended to the depths of hell, to those who were distant from God, maybe we reach out today to someone towards whom we’ve grown distant, wish them a happy easter and invite them to church tomorrow. The Lord no doubt wants to use us to knock on the doors of the hearts of the fallen away. We do well, certainly to pray for those who reject the invitation to return to Church.

We quietly and prayerfully wait for easter today, but we also recognize that though he was in the tomb, Christ was still at work announcing the Gospel, which is our easter mission. May these last few hours before Easter, prepare us well for the great celebration and our share in the great mission for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

Good Friday 2026 - Press the Cross to your heart

 There was a young boy, about 8 years old, who liked to have his own way, and would become very angry anytime his will would be contradicted.  He would talk back to his parents and teachers, fight with his brothers and schoolmates. He would be disciplined in school and at home, but nothing seemed to alter his behavior or attitude, and his parents began to despair.

One day, there was an unexpected change.  His selfishness seemed to entirely disappear; he became one of the most obedient and gentle children.  His parents began to wonder about this change of behavior, and then they noticed that from time to time, the boy would put his hand to his chest, and press something under his shirt close to his heart.  

The boy’s father asked what he was doing.  The boy said, just something grandpa gave me to help me.  The boy took out a crucifix which hung from a thin chain which he had been wearing underneath his shirt.  “When I am angry that I’m not getting my way, I press this image to my heart, I think of what Jesus suffered, and then I find it easy to be good.”  

Today we press the cross to our hearts.  

An eastern orthodox saint named St. Symeon the Theologian who was a monk in the 11th century wrote, “The only way to protect oneself against the devil is by constant remembrance of God: this remembrance must be imprinted in the heart by the power of the Cross, thus rendering the mind firm and unyielding”.

Today, we press the cross to our hearts, that its power might be imprinted there—the power of self-emptying love. When the Cross is pressed to the heart, it teaches us how God loves us, and it teaches us how to endure trial, temptation, and suffering. The devil tempts us toward pride, resentment, despair, and self-will. The Cross teaches us humility, forgiveness, hope, and surrender to the Father.

We venerate the cross today in some outward sign of devotion, so that we may venerate it every day in our actions, in our attitudes, in our speech. Self-emptying love is to mark everything we do, because Jesus self-emptying love has marked us. 

We press the cross to our hearts because we have been pressed to God’s heart, by God himself. In the Passion of the Lord, we see just how near God has drawn to us. He has not loved us from a safe distance. He has entered into our suffering, our betrayal, our loneliness, our fear, even into death itself. The Cross is the proof that there is no human misery Jesus has refused to touch, no sinner is unwilling to seek.

Today we offer solemn intercessions on behalf of the world and the Church, pressing our needs and struggles to his cross and those of the whole world.  We also solemnly venerate the wood of the cross, we press the cross to our lips, or our foreheads, to remember his great love, and that we may be rendered firm and unyielding in the face of temptation and confirmed in the desire to carry our crosses in union with the Son of God, and to bear the message of his love to a world in desperate need of it for the Glory of God and salvation of souls.

Holy Thursday 2026 - "Do this in memory of me"

 “In the Sacred Triduum, the Church solemnly celebrates the greatest mysteries of our redemption, keeping by means of special celebrations the memorial of her lord, crucified, buried, and risen.

Pastors are given special instruction on their responsibilities during these holy days. The instruction in the Roman missal itself says, “Pastors should not fail to explain to the Christian faithful, as best they can, the meaning and order of the celebrations and to prepare them for active and fruitful participation”

This evening we celebrate what is called the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. As normal, this mass includes the liturgy of the word, from which we read from the sacred scriptures, and also the liturgy of the Eucharist, which contains special orations unique to this day, particularly about the Lord’s institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Ordained Priesthood at the Last Supper. Between the two normal parts of the mass is a special ritual of the Washing of the Feet. After the distribution of Holy Communion, the Eucharistic fragments will be processed through the Church back to the Tabernacle.

Tomorrow morning we will celebrate the Church’s official Morning Prayer at 9am tomorrow. Followed by the Stations of the Cross at noon and the Good Friday Passion Liturgy at 3pm. It is a particularly solemn liturgy, beginning with the priest laying prostrate in the bare sanctuary. After readings from Isaiah and the letter to the Hebrews, the entirety of St. John’s Passion will be proclaimed. Special solemn intercessions are offered before we have the beautiful once a year ritual of the veneration of the cross. Holy Communion which is confected this even will be distributed tomorrow, and we then depart in silence.

That’s the order of things for Holy Thursday and Good Friday. The Easter Vigil, the Mother of all Vigils, will be celebrated at 8:30pm, and that Liturgy, well, you just have to experience for yourself. 

That’s “what” we are doing, but why are we doing it?

“Do this in memory of me”. Three times we heard it already. Twice in St. Paul’s description of what the Lord said at the last supper in our second reading. And the third time in the Gospel, when the Lord says that we must remember what he has done for us, and do it for others. 

During the Triduum, we remember how Jesus washed feet. We remember how Jesus took bread and wine and transformed them into his body and blood and how he made the Apostles the first priests of the Church, so that Sacrament could be repeated for all ages. During the Triduum we remember how he took up the cross. We remember how he spoke words of forgiveness from the cross. We remember how he gave his blessed mother to be the mother of all disciples. We remember how he gave up his life as a sacrifice. 

Why do we do, what we do? Why do we remember what we remember? Because he told us to. We celebrate and remember because he told us to. We eat his flesh and drink his blood because he told us to. We keep watch in prayer because he told us to.

In the first reading, we heard how the Lord commanded the Jewish people through Moses to keep the memorial feast of Passover every year, as a way to remember and celebrate what God did for them in delivering from slavery in Egypt. And now we too remember our deliverance by God over these three Sacred Days, by gathering in prayer, reading the scriptures, singing hymns, processing, venerating, prostrating. 

Personally, these are my favorite days of the year. I love being a Catholic because of these Sacred Three days. And I love being a priest because of these Sacred Three Days. For as a priest, not only do I get to speak such beautiful prayers in the name of the Church, I get to witness your faith and devotion as you have your feet washed, and as you venerate the cross, sometimes with tears in your eyes, and to witness your joyful fire on the easter vigil, and the sense of renewal on Easter Sunday. 

Holy Thursday in particular is a special night for priests. For we trace back our priesthood back to the Last Supper on that first Holy Thursday. This is the origin of the priests’ mandate to serve the Church, to put the needs of the Church before our own, to lift up the worries of the Church and the struggles of the Church in prayer. Please offer special prayer for priests tonight, that your priests may continue to put God and the Church first in our life, always.

And as a beautiful reminder of how priests must always be men of humble service, I now call forward those who have been chosen for the washing of the feet. May they be a reminder for us all, of the need to allow the Lord to wash every part of our lives, our bodies, our minds, our souls, of the filth of sin, and to pour ourselves out in humble service to the Lord always, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

Holy Week 2026 - Wednesday (School Mass) - Preparing for the Sacred Triduum

Tomorrow begins the three Sacred Days of the Church Year known as the Sacred Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.

All of our Lenten practices and penances are aimed at preparing us for what happens over the next three days.

Our Lenten prayer has been preparing us to remain close to Jesus. On Holy Thursday, the Lord says, “Stay with me. Remain with me”. We are to prayerfully accompany Jesus into the upper room for the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, we are to prayerfully accompany him as he sweats blood and is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, and as he goes to the cross on Good Friday, and as his body is laid in the tomb on Holy Saturday.

Our Lenten fasting has been preparing us to take up our crosses as Jesus takes up his. Jesus does not cling to His own comfort, safety, or life. He empties Himself completely. Lenten fasting has enabled us to practice that same self-denial in a small but real way, and to appreciate the suffering Jesus undergoes for us.

Likewise, our Lenten almsgiving has been preparing us to give of ourselves in sacrificial love and generosity as Jesus did on the cross. 

Our Lenten repentance and confession of sin has been preparing us to see our sins honestly. For during the Triduum we see exactly what sin does. Sin is not just some small mistake or a private weakness. Turning away from God—separation from God has real consequences. And Lenten repentance helps us come to Holy Week with clearer eyes: not merely feeling sorry for Jesus, but recognizing that He suffers to save us from our sins.

Finally, Lent prepares us to renew our Christian identity at Easter. For at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, the Church celebrates baptism of those who have heard the Lord’s call to the waters of everlasting life. And on Easter Sunday, the Catholic Church collectively renews the promises made at our baptisms—to reject sin and live in the newness of life won for us by Jesus Christ.

In the Gospel today, the disciples approached Jesus and asked him how best they could prepare for the Passover. Each of us does well to do the same? Jesus, how can I best use these short hours we have left to best prepare for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday? What prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and repentance can help me best be prepared to follow you to the cross, to grave, and to the resurrection, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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As we stand on the threshold of the Sacred Triduum, let us bring our prayers before the Father, asking for the grace to follow His Son more closely through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

That the prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and repentance of Lent may bear fruit in a deeper love for Jesus and a more generous readiness to remain with Him in the days ahead, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

For catechumens and candidates preparing to receive the Easter Sacraments, that the Lord may strengthen them, purify them, and fill them with joy as they approach the waters of new life, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

For God’s blessings upon Corpus Christi Academy students and faculty, and for safety over Easter break. Lord, hear our prayer.

For those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, and for all who carry heavy crosses, that by uniting their sufferings to Christ they may find strength, peace, and consolation, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, hear our prayer.

For the faithful departed, that having died with Christ, they may share forever in the glory of His Resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, in your love you gave us your Son, who suffered, died, and rose again for our salvation. Hear the prayers we place before you, and prepare us to enter these sacred days with faith, gratitude, and love. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

Holy Week 2026 - Tuesday - Judas' sins against faith, hope, and love

 

Three characters have three different responses to Jesus in the Gospel today. John, the beloved disciples lays his head on Jesus’ chest.  Peter, confesses his desire to follow Jesus even unto death, but at the sight of the cross flees in fear.  And Judas, with betrayal in his heart goes into the night. 

Sometimes we are like John: we have moments of great intimacy with Jesus, of deep prayer and unshakable love for the Lord.  Of all the apostles, it is John who stands at the cross with the Blessed Mother. 

Sometimes, we are like Peter: we can be so pious and enthusiastic one moment, saying, “Master, I will lay down my life for you”, and then the next moment, when discipleship becomes difficult and costly, we are running away in fear.

And then sometimes we are like Judas: rejecting the light and slinking off into the darkness—to sin.

We’ve have all been like Judas, from time to time, in some form or another. Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, we betray him often for so much less, a moment of passing pleasure, a juicy morsel of gossip, a resentment allowed to grow into hatred, greed for money and material things that keep us from charity towards the poor.

What led Judas to betray the Lord?

Unlike the other disciples that called Jesus “Lord,” Judas never used this title for Jesus and instead called him “Rabbi,” which acknowledged Jesus as nothing more than a teacher—nothing more than a human teacher. While it is never stated explicitly, it seems that Judas failed to make the leap of faith—that Jesus was God.

When the synoptic gospels list the Twelve, they are always listed in the same general order with slight variations. The general order indicates the relative closeness of their personal relationship with Jesus. Despite the variations, Peter and the brothers James and John are always listed first, which is consistent with their relationships with Jesus. Judas is always listed last, indicating his lack of love. Not to mention Judas' scoffing complaint when Mary anoints the Lord's feat with oil from the alabaster jar.

Third, Judas was consumed with greed to the point of betraying the trust of not only Jesus, but also his fellow disciples. He put his hope in mammon.

Judas lacked faith, hope, and love. And so do we, every time we sin.

Christians, rather, are to be animated by faith, hope, and love—what we call the three theological virtues. We are to practice faith, that he is God, and center our lives in worship and obedience to Him. We are to practice hope, putting our trust not in money, or created things, but in Him to save us and fulfill us. And we are to practice love—laying our ear next to the heart of Jesus, like John the beloved, through daily and frequent prayer.

Faith, hope, and love. The three theological virtues unite us with the life of God. As we enter into the most sacred three days of the Church year—the sacred triduum—may our faith, hope, and love increase, that as Jesus, the Lord, journeys to the cross for our salvation, we may journey with him, uniting our lives to Him, entrusting our souls to Him, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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 As we journey with Christ to the cross, let us bring our prayers before the Father, trusting in His mercy and seeking the grace to follow Jesus with integrity and love.

For the Church, that she may remain close to the heart of Christ, faithful in worship, steadfast in hope, and radiant in charity, let us pray to the Lord.

For those preparing for Christian Initiation at Easter: for the grace to follow Christ through death into new life. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who flee the cross out of fear, for those whose faith is weak, for those who have placed their trust in wealth, success, pleasure, or other passing things, for those trapped in serious sin, resentment, greed, or betrayal: for God’s grace to touch theirs and the most hardened hearts, let us pray to the Lord.

For all who suffer, especially the poor, the anxious, the lonely, and the sick, that they may find comfort in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and be aided by the charity of His disciples, let us pray to the Lord.

For the faithful departed, that having hoped in Christ in this life, they may now share forever in the joy of His Resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, you call us to remain with your Son in faith, hope, and love. Hear the prayers we place before you, and draw us ever more deeply into the mystery of His saving Passion. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

 

Holy Week 2026 - Monday - Jesus God worthy of our lavish love

 I was talking with a group of third graders about the events of Holy Week, and we discussed the scene from our Gospel today. “Why did Mary take a jar of perfumed oil that cost thirty thousand dollars in today’s money and pour it all out and wash Jesus’ feet with it?” I asked the third graders.  And one of the children raised their hand and gave the perfect answer: “Because he is God.”

It is not surprising that we find this story in the Gospel of John—which so often—emphasizes Jesus’ divinity. He is the Word Made Flesh. Throughout the Gospel Jesus ascribes to himself the divine name “I Am”; he possesses divine attributes—glory and grace and truth, having life in himself; he performs divine works: the miracles, especially raising the dead; he claims to be able to do what only God can do granting eternal life to whomever he wills, exercising divine judgment. And showing himself to be worthy of faith and divine honor: “you have faith in God, have faith also in me”. Thomas after Jesus’ resurrection exclaims “my Lord and my God”.

It is important for us, at the beginning of Holy Week, to recall that Jesus is God, a fact that Judas, and the chief priests, and all those who called for his crucifixion, failed to believe. Otherwise we misunderstand the events of this week. If Jesus were merely a good man, then His Passion would be tragic, moving, even inspiring—but no more than that. It would be the sad story of a righteous man who was rejected and killed. 

But because Jesus is truly God, His suffering and death have saving power. His Cross is not simply an example of courage; it is the altar of our redemption. His blood is not merely the blood of a martyr; it is the blood of the Son of God poured out for the salvation of the world.

Jesus’ suffering and death is the great account of God’s love—divine mercy freely poured out

Jesus is God come to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves, and because Jesus is God, He is worthy of the extravagant love Mary shows Him in today’s Gospel. Her anointing is not excessive. Love is never wasted when it is given to God. He is worthy of all praise, honor, glory, and thanksgiving. 

May our faith, hope, and love for Jesus be lavish this week. May we give Jesus the best we have in adoring Him, in contemplating Him, recognizing that He is God come to save us out of love for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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As we enter into this most sacred week, let us lift up our hearts in prayer, offering God our love and trust as Mary of Bethany once did, with confidence that He hears and answers.

For the Church throughout the world: that she may be filled with the fragrance of holiness, drawing all people to the love and mercy of Christ during this Holy Week. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all bishops, priests, and deacons: that in their preaching, celebrating the sacraments, and personal prayer, they may pour out their lives in love for Christ and His people. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those preparing to enter the Church at Easter: that this Holy Week may deepen their love for Christ and strengthen their desire to follow Him faithfully. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all Christians: that like Mary of Bethany, we may spend time this week contemplating Jesus—adoring Him, listening to His word, and offering Him our very best. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who have fallen away from the Church: that the witness of Christian love—visible and fragrant in our lives—may draw them back to seek the Lord who gave His life for them. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the poor, the lonely, and all who suffer: that through the compassion and generosity of others, they may know the tender love of Christ poured out for them. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our beloved dead: that having sought the face of Christ in this life, they may now behold Him in eternal glory. Let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, receive our prayers and pour out your grace upon us. May we offer the best of ourselves in love and adoration, that our lives may bear witness to your glory. Through Christ our Lord.

Palm Sunday 2026 - Unique perspectives of the Passion

We just heard the great Passion according to St. Matthew. All four Gospels contain an account of the passion of Jesus –the events leading up to and including his suffering and death on the Cross. There are similarities between each of the Gospel accounts. But like any event described by different authors, each Passion account contains the evangelists' unique perspective.

St. Mark’s passion, is the shortest. It is fast-paced and concise, written for the Roman Christians already being persecuted by an empire working to destroy the Church. Mark emphasizes Jesus’ suffering, his agony, likely to embolden the Christians who were already being persecuted for his name.

St. Luke’s Passion highlights the Lord’s compassion, forgiveness, and universal love. St. Luke recorded the merciful words of Jesus on the Cross: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

We read St. John’s Passion every year on Good Friday, which focuses on Jesus’ divine nature, his fulfillment of His Father’s plan. “It is finished”, the Lord says, as he accomplishes the salivific mission for which he was sent.

St. Matthew’s original audience were the Jewish converts—those who came to believe that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. And so, Matthew’s Passion, as we heard contained explanations of how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament Messianic prophecies. St. Matthew even recorded Jesus from the cross quoting one of the Psalms in Hebrew: “"Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?"which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

To quote the famous biblical scholar Raymond Brown: “Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the fulfiller of Old Testament prophecies, Mark emphasizes Jesus’ abandonment and the scandal of the cross, Luke emphasizes Jesus’ compassion, and John emphasizes Jesus’ sovereignty and control over events.”

Again, each of the Gospel writers narrate the Passion from unique perspectives. What about yours? What does the Passion of the Lord mean to you, at this particular moment in your life, at the beginning of Holy Week 2026.

For our Catechumens, perhaps this is the first time they’ve ever heard the entire Passion. Christ’s journey to the cross parallels their own journey to the Sacraments at Easter. As they prepare to die and rise with Christ in Baptism, they are reminded that to belong to Jesus is not simply to admire him, but to follow him—to pass with him through suffering, surrender, and death into new life.

But what about the rest of us? What does the Passion mean to us?

For those who are undergoing illness and suffering, the Passion means that suffering is no longer meaningless. The Son of God has entered into pain, weakness, humiliation, and agony. He knows what it is to suffer in the body, to feel abandoned, to endure suffering patiently and out of love. And so your suffering, united to his, can become a participation in his redeeming love—in God’s very life.

For those who are struggling with faith, the Passion shows us, what? That even in darkness, confusion, and fear, God is present. Jesus, united even to the portion of humanity which feels forsaken by God, showed us the importance of persevering in crying out to God, having faith even when God is difficult to see.  If your faith feels weak, if prayer feels dry, if God seems silent, look at the crucified Jesus and know that he has entered even that darkness, and he has not abandoned you.

What does the Passion mean, for young people discerning what God is calling them to do with their life? The Passion reveals that the purpose of our life is discovered not in seeking our own will, but God’s. Jesus embraces the will of the Father, even when it is costly—and teaches us to seek how God is calling us to love, to sacrifice, to trust, and give of ourselves for the kingdom. 

What does the Passion mean for married people raising a family? The Passion reveals the shape of authentic love. Love is not merely a feeling; it is sacrifice, perseverance, forgiveness, patience, and fidelity. To love your spouse, to care for your children, to provide, to endure the daily dying to self that family life requires—this too, when done with faith, is a sharing in the cross of Christ, and therefore in its fruitfulness.

What does the Passion mean for those who are advanced in the Spiritual life? The Passion is an invitation to accompany Jesus not only in consolation but in desolation. Deep prayer always draws us more deeply into the mystery of Christ crucified.

What about those struggling to overcome sin? The Passion reveals both the seriousness of sin and God’s mercy—sins remedy. Our sins are not small things; they led to the crucifixion of the innocent Lamb. And yet Christ’s response is not vengeance, but love poured out to the end. Holy Week is the time not to hide our sins like Adam and Eve hiding in the Garden, but to humbly repent of them, bringing them to the crucified Lord who blood is our deliverance from sin.

What about those who like the Lord betrayed by Judas have been betrayed by a trusted friend or family member? The Passion reminds you that Jesus knows that pain, too. He knows what it is to be wounded not just by enemies, but by one close to him. If your heart has been pierced by betrayal, bring that wound to the Lord, who will help you to forgive and to know peace.

Maybe the Passion is a reminder to some of us, who acted like the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked Jesus, or like Peter denied Jesus before others. For us the Passion is humbling, but also cause for such great gratitude, that contempt and cowardice have been replaced with faith and Love. 

The Passion means something a little different to each of us, depending on where we are standing at this moment in our life. And yet in every case, it means this: that Jesus Christ loved us to the end. He entered suffering, betrayal, injustice, humiliation, and death itself in order to save us. And so, whatever our particular walk of life may be at the beginning of this Holy Week, we do not stand outside this story. We are somewhere in it. 

I invite you to read through the various Passion stories this week—and to consider what the Lord is saying to you at this moment in your life—in the concrete details of your life. How is the Lord calling you to follow Him more faithfully, with greater gratitude for his self-sacrifice, with greater faith, hope, and love for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.