By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – Faithful throughout the Diocese of Jackson celebrated Holy Week in unity, but with their own cultural flavors. From an extraordinary form Mass to a modern reenactment of the Passion of Christ. Every parish started a new fire on Easter Sunday. Every Catholic was invited to renew his or her baptismal vows and every person on earth was invited to share in the joy of the resurrection.
Here are a sampling of photos of the journey from Palm Sunday to Easter from across the Diocese of Jackson. Bishop Joseph Kopacz and the entire chancery staff wish you a joyful and fruitful Easter Season.
FOREST – Father Roberto Mena, ST, of St. Michael Parish, and Sister Obdulia Olivar, MGSpS open Holy Week with the blessing of the palms, Sunday, April 14. (Photo by Sr. María Elena Méndez, MGSpS) PEARL– Above, (l-r) Seminarian Andrew Bowden, Father Aaron Williams and Deacon Mark Shoffner celebrated Palm Sunday with a procession and Mass in the extraordinary form at St. Jude Parish. JACKSON – Above, Bishop Joseph Kopacz and all the priests of the diocese celebrated chrism Mass on Tuesday, April 16, to bless and consecrate the oils used throughout the year. At this Mass, the priests renew their vows and spend some valuable time together.
Above, a team of volunteers pours the oils into smaller containers between the blessing and the end of Mass for distribution to parishes. HOLLY SPRINGS – Holy Family School Principal Clara Isom washes the feet of student Shaleigh Faulkner on Holy Thursday, following the example of Jesus from scripture.
SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart School students George Espinoza, Ethan Towell and Jacob Bland act out the crucifiction during a live stations of the cross. (Photo by Laura Grisham) JACKSON – Members of St. Therese Parish light candles for their homes from the Paschal candle. (Photo by Sr. María Elena Méndez, MGSpS)
JACKSON – The Cathedral slowly fills with light during the Easter Vigil as people share their flames as they process into the church. JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz, assisted by Mary Woodward, chancellor and Father Anthony Quyet, rector of the cathedral, inserts the incense nails into the Paschal candle at the Easter Vigil at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. (Photo by Maureen Smith)
