WITH CATHOLICS set to observe Holy Week from March 29 to April 5, the University has announced the schedule of liturgical celebrations at the Santísimo Rosario Parish Church (UST Chapel) and Plaza Mayor.
Palm Sunday
Commemorating the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, Masses for the Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion on March 29 are set at the parish Church at 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 4:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
The blessing of palaspas or palm fronds will begin before the 10 a.m. Mass at the P. Noval Court and will be followed by a procession to the parish church.
There will be an anticipated Mass on Saturday, March 28, 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., at the parish.
The blessing of palaspas will be held at every Mass.
Holy Monday to Holy Wednesday
Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday and Holy Wednesday Masses will be held at the Santísimo Rosario Parish Church at 6:15 a.m., 7:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.
Confession times are at 6:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Maundy Thursday
The Mass of the Lord’s Supper on April 2 will mark the beginning of the Paschal Triduum, the highest point of the Church’s liturgical year that commemorates the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.
A Mass will be offered at 5:30 p.m. at the Plaza Mayor and will be presided over by Fr. Rodel Aligan, O.P., prior of the Priory of St. Thomas Aquinas.
The Mass will also commemorate the ritual of washing of the feet, a reenactment of Christ’s washing of his 12 apostles’ feet.
Parishioners are instructed to bring their own chairs for the Mass and candles for the procession.
A Vigil before the Blessed Sacrament will be held from 7:30 p.m. until midnight at the UST chapel.
Confession times are from 7 a.m. to noon, and 7 p.m. to midnight.
Good Friday
The Good Friday rite for the Veneration of the Cross on April 3 will be held at the Santísimo Rosario Parish Church at 3:30 p.m., led by Fr. Richard Ang, O.P., rector of the University.
It will be followed by the procession of the Santo Entierro or “Holy Burial,” of the image of the dead Christ, at 5 p.m.
The Way of the Cross will be held at 6 a.m., with the parish as the assembly venue for the faithful.
Confession times are 7 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Thomasians are encouraged to reflect on the Siete Palabras, or the Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross, through a program at the Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City, which will be livestreamed on the Facebook page of the Dominican Province of the Philippines at noon.
Black Saturday
The Mass for the Easter Vigil on April 4 will be celebrated at the Santísimo Rosario Parish Church at 10 p.m. It will be led by the parish priest, Fr. Glen Mar Gamboa, O.P.
The laity are requested to bring candles with holders for the Salubong procession, set after the Easter Vigil liturgy.
The Easter Vigil is considered the “Mother of All Vigils” in the Church, as the most important and celebratory liturgy of the year, marking the beginning of the Easter season.
Easter Sunday
The Mass for Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection on April 5, will be celebrated at the UST chapel with Masses at 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
During this Mass, Catholics will renew their baptismal promises, receive the blessing of holy water, and reaffirm their commitment to the Church.
There will be no classes or office work at the University during the Easter Break, beginning on Holy Monday, March 30, and until Easter, April 5.
Classes and office operations will resume on Monday, April 6.
