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Diocese of
Savannah
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Vol. 81, No. 16
Thursday, April 19, 2001
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“Christ has conquered, glory fills you”
By Father Douglas K. Clark
n Catholic churches throughout world, the
solemn celebrations of the Lord’s death and
resurrection took place last weekend.
In the Diocese of Savannah, the sacred rites
of the Easter Triduum were carried out in
every parish, from the Cathedral of Saint John
the Baptist to the smallest mission.
Thousands gathered to celebrate the Mass of
the Lord’s supper in commemoration of the
night of Christ’s betrayal, when he instituted
the sacrament of his sacrifice, the Eucharist,
and washed his disciples’ feet as a sign of
love and service. This evening Mass is the
Mass of Good Friday, according to ancient
Jewish and Christian reckoning, by which a
new day begins when the sun goes down.
Prolonging the observance of the Lord’s
death “for our salvation,” the Afternoon
Liturgy of the Passion was celebrated on Good
Friday. In this unique rite, the Passion accord
ing to Saint John is proclaimed, solemn
prayers of intercession are offered, the Cross
is venerated and Holy Communion is given,
under one kind only, with hosts previously
consecrated at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
The Stations of the Cross, a popular devotion,
were also offered in many parishes.
Once the sun goes down on Good Friday,
the solemn public liturgies are supposed to
cease until the Easter Vigil Mass, after sun
down on Saturday, in keeping with the Gospel
recollection that the saving events of Christ’s
death (Friday) and resurrection (Sunday) took
place before and after—but not on—the
Hebrew Sabbath (Saturday). Christ’s Sabbath
rest occurred in the tomb.
At the Easter Vigil Mass, the new Easter
Candle, used at baptisms, is lit from the new
fire, the Easter Proclamation is chanted, major
moments in salvation history are proclaimed
from the Scriptures, culminating with the Re
surrection narrative, and new members are
brought into the Church and the life of grace
by Baptism, Confirmation and the celebration
of the Eucharist. Throughout the day on Easter,
the faithful gather in large numbers to com
memorate the Father’s immense love in raising
his beloved Son to life for our salvation.
The Easter Season continues for 50 days,
until it concludes with the Solemnity of
Pentecost, celebrating the gift of the Holy
Spirit to the Church.
Top: Bishop J. Kevin Boland washes the feet of 12 parishioners at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Cathedral of
Saint John the Baptist on April 12. Above left: The crucifix at the Cathedral being unveiled for veneration on Good
Friday. Above right: Father Francis J. Nelson, V.G., blesses the new fire at Saint Frances Cabrini Church, Savannah.
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Saint James the Less
—see page 3
Killed in our name
—see page 4
Annual financial report
—see pages 6-7