Holy Week Services 2024

On Tuesday 26th March the Oswestry Chrism Mass was held in Exeter Cathedral.
At this Mass, our Clergy renewed their vows. They also collected the Oils of the Sick, of Baptism and Chrism and brought these back to our Parish.

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Maundy Thursday was on 28th March.
We held a joint Service with St Mary's at St Martin's.
At this Service, the Oils which had been collected at the Chrism Mass were received into Church.
We commemorated the giving of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, and Fr Nick re-enacted the Foot Washing.
The word 'Maundy' is from Latin 'Mandatum', which means 'Commandment',
as on this evening Jesus said:
"I give you a new Commandment: love one another, as I have loved you."

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After the Service we went into the Lady Chapel for the Watch.
Here we remembered the time Jesus spent in the Garden of Gethsemane until he was arrested.

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Good Friday was on 29th March.
In the morning, Fr Nick led the 'Walk of Witness' in St Marychurch, while Fr John Potter, with Fr Kenny and Pamela, led 'Stations of the Cross' at St Martin's. In the afternoon, we held our second joint service of the 'Triduum', with St. Martin's at St. Mary's. It was a profound and moving Service.

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The Walk of Witness at St. Marychurch:

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The Good Friday Liturgy at St. Mary's:

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Christ is risen; he is risen indeed ALLELUIA!

On Saturday 30th March we held our Easter Vigil with our final joint service of the Triduum, with St. Martin's at St. Mary's.

A shower of rain did not dampen our spirits as the New Fire was blessed outside under an umbrella, and the Paschal Candle was lit and brought into Church.

We renewed our Baptismal Vows during this first Easter Service celebrating Christ's Resurrection.

Next morning, on Sunday 31st March, we held our Easter Morning Mass at St. Martin's, and our Paschal Candle was lit from a light taken from the fire at last night's Easter Vigil fire at St. Mary's.

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