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Today the Church mourns and waits at the Savior’s tomb, where He lies still bearing the wounds of His Passion. The apostles gather in secret, the Blessed Mother guards her heart with joyful anticipation. All is quiet: no Mass is celebrated today until this evening; the altar and church are bare of decoration, images may be shrouded. The faithful prepare, decorating eggs, cooking for an Easter feast, choosing Easter finery. No morning Mass or morning or afternoon Confessions today at the Cathedral.

No Mass is celebrated today: our services resume from the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper, with Holy Communion distributed from hosts consecrated yesterday. The altar is bare, the service begins in silence. Today, we recall Our Lord’s Passion and Death, beginning with the well-known lines from Isaiah: "He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon Him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by His stripes we were healed." We hear the lament of Psalm 31, “Into Your Hands I Commend My Spirit,” and read the Passion Gospel according to St. John. We venerate the Holy Cross and depart in silence. The service at the Cathedral begins at 3:00 p.m., in the main church. There is no 12:05 p.m. Mass or evening Stations of the Cross.

Holy Thursday – also called Maundy Thursday, referring to the Latin word mandatum, commandment, quoted in the verse before the Gospel. Today the only Mass celebrated at our parish is the Mass of the Last Supper at 7:00 p.m. upstairs in the main church. We will collect food and money donations for our local food shelf in lieu of a regular collection. We honor and adore the Blessed Sacrament, instituted at that Passover feast by Christ Himself. The feet of twelve faithful may be washed, replicating Christ’s humble service to His apostles at the Last Supper. We hear the Gloria and bells, which then cease until the Easter Vigil. The Mass does not end but closes in silence without a final blessing. The altar is stripped. The Blessed Sacrament is transferred solemnly to an altar of repose where we may keep vigil, as Our Lord did in the garden of Gethsemane, in the first agony of His passion.

This last weekday before the Easter Triduum is also known as Spy Wednesday, when, as we hear in the Gospel, Judas Iscariot bargained for Christ’s arrest. Earlier in the Mass, Isaiah affirms his faith in the Lord: "I have set my face like flint, He is near who upholds me." The Psalm echoes this staunch fidelity, even though the singer is beset by trials and insults.

At Mass, the prophet Isaiah trumpets himself as the strong, fine-edged servant of God, a weapon in the hands of his Lord. The Psalmist tells his trust in God, "For you are y hope, O Lord". In the Gospel, Jesus reclines at table at the Last Supper, “deeply troubled,” offering Judas a chance to turn away from evil, hearing Peter avow his undying loyalty.

We hear from the great prophet Isaiah one of his descriptions of the suffering servant. The Psalm urges us to "be stouthearted and wait for the Lord" during the heart-rending events of this week. In the Gospel at Mass, Mary of Bethany pours costly oil over Our Lord, and weeping with remorse for her sins, wipes His feet with her hair. Jesus speaks of her great love which merits great mercy. The Solemnity of the Annunciation, usually celebrated this day, is moved to April 8, outside of Holy Week and the Octave of Easter.

The Chrism Mass will be held Monday, March 25, at 11:00 am at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Burlington. Archbishop Christopher Coyne will celebrate this special Mass, at which the Oil of Chrism is consecrated, the Oils of Catechumens and the Sick are blessed, and the priests within the Diocese of Burlington recommit themselves to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. All are invited. Free parking is available along Elmwood Avenue and pay lots/garages are near the Cathedral (first two hours are free in city-owned parking garages). Carpooling is highly encouraged. Parish representatives may pick up holy oils for their parish after the Mass. A reception will follow in the parish hall. PLEASE NOTE: The Chrism Mass is celebrated on Monday this year.

Today we mark Christ’s humble but triumphant entry into Jerusalem, riding a lowly donkey, as followers spread palm branches and garments to pave His way. We may walk in procession at the start of Mass, holding blessed palms and singing a hymn, our priest vested in red. Later in the Mass, we hear the Passion Gospel of Mark, beginning with the chief priests and scribes plotting Jesus’s end. Then the scene switches to Jesus in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, and the woman who anoints Him with costly oil, only to be reprimanded by Judas. In the next scene, Judas offers to sell Jesus to the chief priests. Then we hear the disciples receive their instructions from Jesus to prepare the Passover. Quickly we are with Our Lord who reveals the presence of his betrayer, then we are at table, watching Jesus institute the Eucharist. The rest of the familiar drama unfolds: the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas’s treachery, Peter’s denial, and Our Lord’s Passion and death. We leave Him in the silent, dark tomb, with its seal and guard of soldiers. Now we will enter Holy Week, days of hush, waiting, preparing, hoping, as the great Easter feast approaches.

HOLY WEEK & TRIDUUM SCHEDULE: March 23/24 - Palm Sunday - Normal weekend schedule. Monday, March 25, 11:00 AM - Chrism Mass. Tuesday, March 26, 12:05 PM Daily Mass; 7:00 PM - Tenebrae. Wednesday, March 27 - Daily Mass 12:05 PM. SACRED TRIDUUM Holy Thursday, March 28, 7:00 PM - The Lord’s Supper Mass. Good Friday, March 29, 3:00 PM - The Passion of the Lord. Holy Saturday, March 30 Confessions 2:00 PM; Easter Vigil, , 8:00 PM. March 31, Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord, Mass 10:00 AM. Noon, Mass in Vietnamese

This two-week period begins on the Saturday before the fifth Sunday of Lent, formerly called Passion Sunday. In the past, church statues and crosses and crucifixes were covered with veils, usually purple, simple and unadorned. Our churches today still may cover statues and crosses, or leave them revealed until Holy Thursday, when they may be hidden by purple covers. The veils are removed before the Easter Vigil Mass. Various authors describe different reasons for the veiling: shielding these beloved images helps us fast, in a sense, from images of God and his saints, and hunger for their return at the great Easter Solemnity. The shrouds also connote death, as the Church will journey through the Lord’s passion and death soon, and wait in silent vigil for the Resurrection at the end of the upcoming Holy Week. We also may view this allusion to death as a symbol of our own Lenten struggle to die to sin and be born anew at Easter. A Gospel of Passiontide in the Traditional form speaks of Jesus hiding himself, as we hide these images. Veiling statues also calls to mind Jesus’ hiding or veiling his divinity during his Passion. Another author likens the removal of these statues from our sight as one of the steps taken during this time in Lent, to hide and reduce more aspects or our faith, just as we had earlier put away the Gloria and Alleluia, and soon lose bells and the Mass itself at the end of Holy Week. Soon we will enter Holy Week, when we hear, read, and dwell on the Passion, Crucifixion and Death, and Resurrection of our Lord.

Jeremiah the prophet predicts the new covenant that Jesus the Christ will establish: “I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts. … I will be their God and they shall be My People.” The Psalmist begs for this grace: “A clean heart create for me, O God” in the words of the great penitential psalm. The second reading from Hebrews relates how Jesus carried how His divine plan, with “prayers and supplication … he became perfect, the source of eternal salvation.” In today’s Gospel, Greeks arrive seeking Jesus. Jesus speaks to His disciples, telling them the parable of the grain of wheat that must die, a veiled foretelling of His coming death and resurrection, which will save mankind from their sins. Jesus goes on to ruminate, saying He is troubled, resolving to choose His Father’s will and not His own, and asking his Father in Heaven to do His glorious will. From on high, the Father reassures His Son.

Several priests will hear Confessions Sunday, March 17 at the Cathedral as part of our Lenten penitence, as we strive to reform and allow the Lord to "create a clean heart" for us during this most holy season. Confessions run from 2:00 to 3:00 PM. Another penitential service will be held at St. John Vianney Church in South Burlington, Sunday, March 24 (Palm Sunday), also from 2:00 to 3:00 PM.

The celebration for the Cathedral parish's patron saint begins with Mass at 5:30 PM. A potluck supper follows in the arish hall. Please contribute a dish to share.

Stations of the Cross begin at 5:30 PM in the upper church, and this year, a simple supper of soup and bread in the parish hall will follow the devotion. Msgr. Routhier and Deacon Moore will lead the Stations and will be assisted each week by the following groups: Feb 23 - Music Ministers & Confraternity of St. Joseph; Mar 1 - Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion; Mar 8 - Servers and Ushers; Mar 15 - Finance/Parish Councils and Parish Staff; Mar 22 - Confirmation Class and Youth of the Parish. Those assisting should arrive by 5:15 PM to be assigned a Station For more information, contact the Parish Office at 802-658-4333,

With Ash Wednesday, we have begun our penitential journey to the Church’s greatest Solemnity, Easter Sunday. The word Lent derives from a German word for spring. On Ash Wednesday, we fast and abstain from meat following Church guidelines. The ashes on our foreheads are a sign of humility, penance, and mortality. Throughout Lent, our priest wears purple vestments, we no longer pray the Gloria or sing the Alleluia, and church decorations are spare. All music must be instrument accompanied singing. Honoring saint feast days, except for Solemnities (St. Joseph, the Annunciation) is optional. Some writers describe this paring down and reducing as reflections of the penitent’s losing, casting off the encumbrances that bar our salvation. "Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation!" said St. Paul.

Here are the guidelines for fast and abstinence for the holy season of Lent: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are the most important penitential days of the liturgical year. They are both days of fast and abstinence. The rule of fasting states that only one full meal a day can be taken. Two small meals, “sufficient to maintain strength”, are allowed, but together should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals breaks the fast, but drinking liquids does not. The rule of fasting obliges all Catholics from 18 to 59. Abstinence refers to the eating of meat. The common estimation of the community is used to determine what falls under the category of meat. The rule of abstinence binds all Catholics 14 years or older. The substantial observance of the laws of fast and abstinence is a serious obligation. Self-imposed fasting on the other weekdays of Lent is recommended. Abstinence on all Fridays of the year is also highly recommended. Parents and teachers should see to it that, even those who are not bound by the laws of fast and abstinence because of age, are to be brought up in an atmosphere that is conducive to a sense of penance.

To enjoy the many Lenten videos, please take advantage of the Cathedral's free subscription. FORMED offers 4,000 titles of books, audio talks, movies, studies and documentaries to watch on your television, Smart phone, and computer. On your computer or Smart phone, navigate to: signup.FORMED.org. Enter "St. Joseph Cathedral, Burlington, VT, 05401", and find this name in the drop-down list. Enter your name and email address, and follow the simple instructions to become a FORMED member. Cards with this information can be found at the church and chapel entrances. It's a great opportunity of all of us to enrich our faith life.

“LITURGY & LIFE" Unveiling the Mystical Movement of the Mass This video and discussion series meets in the Parish Hall from 5:30PM to 6:15PM and is led by Deacon Dennis. Mar 6: Giving & Receiving Mar. 13: The Exodus Out of Self Mar. 20: From Sacrifice to Sacrament TBD: Preparing to Participate in the Mystery

We are joyful this day because Easter draws near. Our priest may wear rose-colored vestments instead of purple or violet. It’s a good time to add to our joy by going to Confession, preparing for receiving Our Lord at Easter. Church flowers and more music are allowed today before we return to a penitential mode. Our readings tell the sad story of infidelity on the part of God’s chosen people, and the grievous punishments they suffered, including exile. “By the streams of Babylon, we sat and wept,” mourns the psalmist. Hope, however, returns, with the king of Persia decreeing that God’s temple be raised in Jerusalem. Saint Paul assures us that “God, who is rich in mercy, … even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ.” The Gospel from St. John recounts Jesus’s famous assurance that He came to save the world. We are halfway to Easter in our Lenten journey. Next week is the last Sunday before Palm Sunday.

Daylight Savings Time begins Saturday night, March 9. Please set your clocks AHEAD one hour that night or the next day, Sunday, March 10. Moving your clocks will help you arrive at Sunday Mass on time.