Blue Jays, faculty, and staff celebrate Mass in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs on Wednesday, March 23.

The Easter Triduum, the most solemn days in the Church’s calendar, begins with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, continues through Good Friday, and ends with the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. Over these holy days, Catholics throughout the world relive the passion, death, and resurrection of our Lord.

On Holy Thursday, the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper recalls the night when Jesus gave the commandment to love one another, symbolized in the washing of the disciples’ feet and instituted the Sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Holy Orders.

Good Friday centers on Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross for mankind. Jesus’ passion clearly demonstrates God’s love for all and offers us a model to serve God and each other.

On Holy Saturday, the third day of the Sacred Triduum, the Church is in mourning, meditating on the Lord’s suffering and death. As on Good Friday, the sacraments are not celebrated.

The Easter season, beginning with the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening, celebrates the joy and the promise of the Resurrection of our Lord. Christ has risen and has opened a new chapter for all of mankind who are willing to accept God’s will.

Confession Offered to Blue Jays

Confessions will be offered during lunch on Wednesday, March 23 in the Chapel of the Holy Name of Jesus (small chapel) for all Blue Jays.

Student Holidays

Thursday, March 24 through Monday, March 28 are student holidays. Classes will resume on Tuesday, March 29 with a special schedule: Assembly Order #1 for Student Council Election Speeches.

Nine Churches Walk

On Good Friday, March 25, the Jesuit community is invited to join the Nine Churches Walk and reflect on the Stations of the Cross. This year’s walk will feature a return to the route uptown, beginning at St. Stephen’s Church (part of Good Shepherd Parish). Participants are welcome to gather around 8:15 a.m. in preparation for the pilgrimage to begin at 8:30 a.m. with some introductory remarks and the praying of the first station. From there the procession will follow the order of churches listed below.

Although Good Friday is a fasting day, participants may choose to bring a light snack and water for the walk. It is also recommended to check the weather forecast for the appropriate dress, noting that sunscreen or a hat may be helpful. Participants should also be prepared to walk 5-6 miles through the course of the morning. The walk ends at Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church around 1:30 p.m., and participants should arrange their own ride back to their vehicles after the walk.

More info about the Nine Churches Walk available here.

Fr. Fronk Returns to Iraq for Holy Week and Easter Sunday

Fr. Christopher S. Fronk, S.J. (left) in Iraq this past Christmas with his bodyguard, Josh Selvidge, RP2, USN.

Fr. Christopher S. Fronk, S.J., Jesuit’s incoming president who brought volunteer pastoral service to deployed Catholics in Iraq this past Christmas, has returned to Iraq for Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Fr. Fronk, currently the Command Chaplain aboard the USS George H. W. Bush CVN 77, requested and received orders to re-visit the war zone while his ship remains sidelined for maintenance. Fr. Fronk made the trip back to Iraq from Norfolk on Palm Sunday.

Approximately 3,700 U.S. Military personnel are now deployed to Iraq, a large proportion of whom are Catholic. At present no Catholic chaplain is assigned there. With Fr. Fronk’s presence, those servicemen and women will be able to commemorate the Crucifixion and celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

During his Christmas visit, Fr. Fronk made rounds to a half dozen sites in Al Anbar Province, reaching approximately 1,500 servicemen and women. He celebrated seven Christmas Masses, five daily Masses, and heard confessions during his time there.

“I am very happy to be able to go over and support in this way,” said Fr. Fronk. “There is no greater satisfaction as a priest than to go where the need is greatest and where people are asking you to make the trip.” At Christmas, he found the troops “very happy to have a priest visit.” He said, “they asked if I could offer Mass each day since they didn’t know when a priest would visit again.”

As it turns out, a priest will visit again for Easter. That priest is Fr. Christopher S. Fronk, S.J.