Holy WeekAT ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL

St Mary’s Cathedral and Parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Perth welcomed thousands of worshippers to celebrations during Holy Week this year.

Beginning with Palm Sunday, Archbishop Costelloe emphasised the words of St John Paul II at this year’s Palm Sunday Mass, inviting the congregation to remember the words “our witness (to Christ) would be hopelessly inadequate if we ourselves had not first contemplated his face.”

“St John Paul II wasn’t saying say that our witness will be incomplete, or less than perfect, or a bit unsatisfactory, if we have not first contemplated the face of Christ – but that it will be hopelessly inadequate. This takes us to the very heart of our faith. We Catholics believe, that is, we know with the certainty of our faith, that in Jesus we have so much more than a really good man who lived a wonderful life and left us a remarkable legacy and a powerful teaching,” Archbishop Costelloe said.

At the Chrism Mass, Archdiocesan priests joined Archbishop Timothy and Bishop Don for the Blessing of the three Holy Oils - Oil of Catechumens, Oil of the Sick and Oil of the Chrism. The Holy Oils are used in Parishes for the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Anointing of the Sick.

“The Chrism Mass, in the Church’s long tradition, is that special occasion when the priests and their bishops reaffirm their communion with each other, and recommit themselves, in the presence of God’s priestly people, to their mission to be at the heart of the Christian community. This presence in and for the community is one of humble service, given to the Church by God. As brothers in the ordained ministry we, together with the deacons, are called to be enablers, the ones who help to make possible, the priestly vocation of all God’s people,” said Archbishop Costelloe SDB.

Then followed the Washing of the Feet on Holy Thursday, Stations of the Cross and the Solemn Celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Friday, the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday and finally the joyous celebration of Easter Sunday Mass, where the Archbishop said:

Please enjoy these beautiful images from this year’s Holy Week celebrations.