When Archbishop Joseph Harris presides at the Holy Week/Easter Triduum liturgies this week at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, it will be the first time he is doing so in his new leadership role as Archbishop of Port of Spain.

At the same time, it will also be his last celebrations at the Cathedral for the foreseeable future since the “Mother Church” has to close its doors to the public indefinitely to facilitate the multi-million dollar restoration project, which has already begun in the area behind the sanctuary. Access to inside the cathedral becomes restricted from Easter Monday, April 9.

But as sad as this news is and taking into consideration the impact the move will have on the nation’s Catholic community, at the end of the period, it is expected that a refurbished and restored cathedral would contribute to happier times for generations to come.

Plans for Cathedral community activities are being worked out by Cathedral administrator Fr Kenneth Assing. Fr Assing will preside at the Easter Triduum liturgies at the Sacred Heart Church.

Today, Archbishop Harris is expected to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, San Fernando at 10.00 a.m., and tomorrow afternoon he will preside at the annual Chrism Mass at the Cathedral.

Holy Week is the most sacred time of the Church’s year, when Christians commemorate the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It begins with the traditional Blessing of the Palms and procession in most parishes followed by Holy Mass during which the Passion is read.

The procession is our proclamation that as followers of Jesus we believe in the power of humility and gentleness. So from that point of view there is continuity, linking the Palm Sunday procession and the reading of the Passion during Holy Mass

While some of the liturgical rites are very ancient, dating back to the earliest years of the Church, changes have been made over the years through adaptations to new circumstances and different cultures. From time to time the Church has found it necessary to reform the rites and restore their original meaning.

Even today this Sunday, known for generations simply as Palm Sunday, is now referred to as Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, as the Church seeks to restore its link with the rest of Holy Week. – Vernon Khelawan