By Lois Rogers | Features Editor

Catholics in the four counties of the Trenton Diocese joined their brothers and sisters throughout the world this Holy Week in experiencing the solemnities of Jesus’ Passion and Death and the joys of his Resurrection.

As with their counterparts around the world, customs ancient and dear were kept. Palms were blessed and distributed, sacred vows renewed. Prayers, said by generations of family members as they reflected on the mysteries of the Passion, were uttered once again.

There were solemn processions in which the faithful accompanied the Eucharist to Adoration Chapels where vigils were held long into the night and morning. Pageants and processions also focused on the Way of the Cross – on Christ’s suffering and his salvific sacrifice.

Baskets of food were blessed in anticipation of the feasting to come and Easter vigils that began in darkness, concluded in the radiant glow of faith in parishes throughout the four counties of the diocese as some 719 women, men and teens were received into the fullness of the Catholic Church.

It was a time once again, to enter the well of hope, drink deeply of the water of faith and revive with Christ in the light of Salvation.

For Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., Holy Week echoed pilgrimages that have been a mainstay of the Church at this sacred time of year since the earliest Christian days. Traveling the length and breadth of the diocese, he shared with parishioners the sense of the “Great Week” when all are called to assemble in the name of Christ.

Palm Sunday marked the beginning of the Holy Week pilgrimage for Bishop O’Connell, who led the faithful in marking the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem, April 1, in St. Theresa Parish, Little Egg Harbor Township.

On the evening of April 2, more than 800 lay persons, religious, priests and deacons gathered with Bishop O’Connell in the sheltering embrace of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral for the Chrism Mass.

The Diocesan Festival Choir offered a lush musical backdrop for the ageless pageantry surrounding the blessing of the holy oils used in sacramental ministry in the coming year and the public renewal by the priests of the diocese of their vows.

Darkness drifted over the landscape April 5 as countless faithful set out to attend the Mass of the Lord’s Supper in parishes around the diocese.

In St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, hundreds of parishioners rushed into the rapidly filling church for the Mass which marked the beginning of the Triduum.

Bishop O’Connell was the principal celebrant of the Mass which recalls the last meal Jesus shared with his apostles before his death and commemorates Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood.

On Good Friday, Catholics gathered to commemorate the intense love Christ showed for humankind as he sacrificed his life for all the generations to come.

In St. Hedwig Church, Trenton, Bishop O’Connell joined with hundreds of primarily Polish parishioners in traditions that have been a mainstay of faith in their tradition for centuries. There he spoke of how this night echoed with the resonance of “the saddest mission” Our Lord had to make. “He died for us,” said the bishop. “And in his death, he did save us.”

On Holy Saturday morning, April 7, scores of baskets brimming with the symbolic foods of Easter, eggs, sausage, ham, kielbasa sandwiched around the Pascal lamb that is the centerpiece in all, were brought to churches around the diocese, including St. Joseph Parish, Millstone, where they were blessed in readiness of Easter breakfast or dinner.

 As darkness settled in on April 7, the most majestic of all celebrations, the sacred Easter vigil unfolded in parishes throughout Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean. Outside these hallowed structures, the transformation from darkness to the light of Christ would begin with fire and build to a crescendo with water and sacred oil as scores were Baptized and Confirmed.

As flames rose into the night sky, Bishop O’Connell was surrounded by several hundred parishioners of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, who gathered amidst the clatter of passing traffic on the busy corner where the structure sits.

The bishop blessed the roaring Easter fire that symbolizes the light of Christ and lit the Paschal candle before leading the faithful into the darkened church. There, along with several priests and deacons, including Msgr. Joseph L. Roldan, celebrating his first Easter vigil as rector of the cathedral.

The darkness gave way to the new light of Christ, following readings from the Old and New Testament in both English and Spanish as the congregation erupted in the singing of Alleluia as the lights were turned on symbolizing the discovery of the empty tomb and Christ’s rising from the dead.

Easter Sunday brought Holy Week to a joyful conclusion as thousands flocked to churches throughout the diocese and around the world to celebrate the risen Christ. In St. Vincent de Paul Church, Yardville, where Bishop O’Connell celebrated the 7:30 a.m. Mass, tots decked out in their finest snuggled next to their parents as pews filled with parishioners of all ages.

And once again, the age old adage – a picture is worth a thousand words – resonated with truth. For, mere words could not describe the joy in the risen Christ on all their faces.

VIEW PHOTO GALLERIES:

Holy Thursday: The Heart of All We Believe

Cross of Salvation — Good Friday, St. Hedwig Church, Trenton

Do This in Memory of Me’ - Da Vinci’s Last Supper staged in Nativity Parish, Fair Haven

Bless This Food — St. Joseph Parish, Millstone Township

Christ Our Light! — Easter Vigil, St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, Lavallette

He Is Risen! – Easter Vigil Mass, St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral

Happy Easter! — St. Vincent de Paul Church, Yardville