Every once in a while American Samoa’s Flag Day falls on the same week as the most significant event in the liturgical calendar of Christian Churches…Holy Week. Such is the case this year.
Holy Week began yesterday with Palm Sunday services commemorating the return of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem after nearly 40 days in the desert
On Thursday there’ll be remembrances of Jesus’ Last Supper with his Apostles , followed by all night vigils. And then on the morning of Good Friday, Stations of the Cross will relive the beating and eventual nailing of Jesus on the Cross.
Some parishes of the Catholic Church will be having Stations of the Cross along the public highway.
The Holy Family Cathedral Parish will begin their Stations of the Cross from the airport at 5 am Friday and ending at the grounds at Fatuoaiga.
At 3pm on Friday, churches will venerate the Cross and congregations will act out the Passion of Jesus Christ.
Then on Saturday night and the morning of Easter Sunday, Alleluia choruses will ring out from churches in the territory proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Also scheduled for Holy Week is the Chrism Mass on Tuesday where oils that will be used for the anointing of the sick will be blessed and priests will also renew their vows.
The Chrism Mass for the Diocese of Samoa-Pago Pago will be held at 5pm Tuesdat at the Holy Family Cathedral, Fatuoaiga.
