Lent, Holy Week and Easter at St John's

The following services will take place at St John's for Holy Week and Easter:

Palm Sunday - 24th March

10.3am - Parish Mass with Procession and Blessing and Distribution of Palms

We start our Holy Week journey with a Procession, remembering Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Palms will be blessed and distributed to worshippers.

Maundy Thursday - 28th March

7pm - Mass of the Institution of the Holy Eucharist

On Maunday Thursday we mark the most complex and profound of all religious observances, saving only the Easter Vigil. Maundy Thursday celebrates both the institution of the Eucharist and of the institution of the priesthood for in this, His last supper with the disciples, a celebration of Passover, He is the self-offered Passover Victim, and every ordained priest to this day presents this same sacrifice, by Christ's authority and command, in the same way. The Last Supper was also Christ's farewell to His assembled disciples, some of whom would betray, desert or deny Him before the sun rose again.

We are delighted to be joined this year by Bishop Stephen Vennor for this service.

Good Friday - 29th March

10.30am - Stations of the Cross

A family-friendly act of reverence, tailored for children.

12pm - Solemn Liturgy: Commemoration of the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross

This service is particularly solemn; the organ is not played, and all vestments are red. A moving service on this most solemn day in the Christian Calendar. We're delighted to be joined by Bishop Jane Mainwaring for this service.

Holy Saturday - 30th March

7pm - Easter Vigil [at St James's Church, Bushey]

The Easter Vigil liturgy is the most beautiful liturgy of the Church. Although celebrated Holy Saturday evening, it is the dramatic Easter vigil liturgy that marks the beginning of Easter. We are awaiting our master's return with our lamps full and burning, so that He will find us awake and seat us at his table.

Please note, this service is at St James's Church, Bushey.

Easter Day - 31st March

10.30am - Parish Easter Mass

Our Parish Mass celebrating the first morning of Easter, with familiar Easter hymns. We're delighted to be joined by Bishop Jane Mainwaring for this service.