Holy Week at Holy Family Home
We did it! With the grace of God empowering Father Sullivan’s liturgical piety and expertise, Jeanne Jugan’s extended family in Southwest Philly celebrated the Sacred Triduum, with all due solemnity, in spite of being in the midst of all the constraints of our Building Project! Joey, when asked if he would serve as Cross-bearer, responded: “I would be honored to do it for Jesus, even if it interrupts my customary nap!” The Little Sister sacristans and music ministers, as well as the Housekeeping staff responsible for transporting chairs and altar accessories, were generously “on the job.” All went well, with love for our Thorn-Crowned King.
Holy Week opened with the Blessing of the Palms in the Physical Therapy Gym, after which a triumphant procession proceeded from the St. Joseph Health Care Unit to the temporary chapel in the former kitchen storage room. Singing “All Glory, Laud, and Honor,” we waved our palm branches with fervor. It seemed miraculous, the way 36 Residents, Staff, Little Sisters, Friends and Family were accommodated in our humble worship space this March 24, 2024.
Again, for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, there was seating for another good crowd responding to the Lord’s “Mandatum” in Chapter 13 of the Gospel of John – “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” Father Sullivan washed the feet of four Residents and then celebrated the Eucharistic Liturgy. Mass was followed by another procession to the Physical Therapy Gym which had been transformed into the Repository where Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament could be adored during the nocturnal vigil that followed. From 7 to 8 pm Father Sullivan presided a Holy Hour for the Residents after which the Little Sisters took up the relay in Adoration.
The Service of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday, with its somber 3-part Proclamation of the Passion, the Adoration of the Cross, and the Communion Service, was also well attended. Holy Saturday was marked by silence until the climax of the Triduum – The Easter Vigil. This began with the Blessing of the New Fire and Lighting of the Paschal Candle, a ceremony which took place, for the first time, out on the ramp of the Temporary Entrance. Another procession brought the Light of Christ into the darkened little Chapel and the glorious singing of the “Exultet.” Residents and Little Sisters served as Lectors for the long Liturgy of the Word. All lit their candles for the renewal of Baptismal Promises. Mr. Luca Kim rang the bells “to create a joyful noise for the Risen Lord.” The Easter Liturgy of the Eucharist was followed by a welcome snack over in the Care Unit before heading off to bed.
Then came the Celebration of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday morning! Even more than during the Sacred Triduum, the number of Residents, Staff, Little Sisters, Friends and Family members in our temporary Chapel swelled to 45. Led by Father Sullivan, the praying, acclaiming, actively participating assembly in our lowly little Chapel, on March 31, 2024, surely responded to Jeanne Jugan’s appeal – “Let us Sing the glory of our Risen Jesus!”
