The Great Vigil of Easter is the first celebration of the Resurrection and the most ancient liturgy of the Christian year. Beginning in darkness on Holy Saturday night, the service opens with the kindling of the new fire and the lighting of the Paschal Candle as the light of Christ is carried into the church. The Vigil continues with readings from Holy Scripture that recount the story of God’s saving work throughout history, the renewal of our Baptismal promises, and the first celebration of the Easter Eucharist as we proclaim with joy the Resurrection of our Lord.
Lent & Easter at St. Mary Magdalene
The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.
We invite you to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. We hope you will join us in this season as we journey with Christ through his passion and death, toward the joy of his resurrection.
Lenten Worship
This season of Lent invites us to slow down, be more intentional in our spiritual lives, and to make space for God through prayer, self-examination, and acts of discipline and self-denial. Join us for the following services and sacramental rites to help you do just that.
Ash Wednesday | February 18 @ 7:00 p.m.
The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. On this day, you are invited to gather and begin the journey toward the Cross and the Resurrection together. The Ash Wednesday service includes prayers, readings from Holy Scripture, a sermon, the Litany of Penitence, which invites us to honestly name the ways we have fallen short of God’s call, the imposition of ashes as a sign of our mortality, and the celebration of Holy Communion.
Stations of the Cross | Every Wednesday, February 25 – March 18 @ 6:00 p.m.
The Stations of the Cross offer a simple and prayerful way to walk with Jesus through the final hours of his earthly life. This devotion has its roots in the practice of pilgrims walking the way of the cross in Jerusalem, and today invites us, through the words of Scripture, to move station by station through Christ’s passion. As we pause for prayer and reflection, we are drawn more deeply into the mystery of the Cross and reminded that Christ walks with us in suffering, leading us toward the hope of the Resurrection.
Private Confession
Private sacramental confession is an opportunity to make a confession of sin in the presence of a priest and to receive absolution and the assurance of God’s forgiveness. Rooted in the Church’s practice of reconciliation, this sacramental rite invites honest self-examination, repentance, and amendment of life, and renews the relationship established in Baptism. In the season of Lent, confession offers a grace-filled way to turn again toward God and to be renewed in Christ’s mercy. Confession will be offered during the following times or by appointment.
- Ash Wednesday (February 18) @ 5:00 p.m.
- Friday, March 27 @ 6:00 p.m.
- Good Friday (April 3) @ 1:00 p.m.
Anointing of the Sick | Sunday, March 15 @ 10:30 a.m.
The Anointing of the Sick is a sacramental rite of prayer for healing and strength and is a continuation of the healing ministry of Jesus. During the season of Lent, this rite will be offered within the Holy Eucharist on the Fourth Sunday of Lent. In the anointing, we pray for God’s healing grace for any who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, entrusting ourselves to God’s mercy through prayer, the laying on of hands, and anointing in the name of Christ.
Holy Eucharist | Wednesday, March 25 @ 6:00 p.m.
On March 25, we will gather for the Holy Eucharist to celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation, the day on which the Church remembers the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary and her faithful response to God’s call. Celebrated within the season of Lent, this feast invites us to pause and reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation and Mary’s trust in God’s promise. This Eucharist is offered in addition to our regular Sunday Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. and all are welcome to join us.
Will You? A Lenten Study of Baptismal Promises
This Lent, join us for Will You? A Lenten Study of Baptismal Promises, a five week journey into the heart of our Christian identity, calling, and covenant with God. Through prayerful conversation and reflection on the promises we make at baptism, we will explore what it means to say, “I will, with God’s help,” in the rhythms of everyday life.
Meeting Wednesdays in Lent at 7:00 p.m., February 25 through March 25, this study will be offered both in person and online. Each week will center on the daily reflections for that week, giving us space to share insights, ask questions, and deepen our understanding together as we prepare our hearts for Holy Week and Easter.
Whether your baptism is a recent memory or something long ago, this study is for anyone who desires to renew their faith and reflect more deeply on the promises that shape our life together in Christ.
You’re also invited to join us at 6:30 p.m., in between Stations of the Cross and the start of our study, for a simple Lenten supper and time of fellowship.
Holy Week & Easter Worship
You are invited to join us for the liturgies of Holy Week as we journey with Jesus through the mystery of his passion, death, and resurrection. Come and enter more deeply into the heart of the Christian faith and know that Jesus died and rose for you!
Palm Sunday | March 29th @ 10:30 a.m.
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred time in the Christian year. On this day, we gather to remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem as the crowds welcomed him with palm branches and shouts of praise. The Palm Sunday service includes the blessing of palms and a procession recalling that joyful entry, readings from Holy Scripture, a sermon, the proclamation of the Passion Gospel, and the celebration of Holy Communion, inviting us to begin the journey with Jesus through his suffering and death toward the joy of the Resurrection.
Maundy Thursday | April 2nd @ 7:00 p.m.
Maundy Thursday marks the beginning of the Sacred Triduum, the three holy days in which we remember the final events of Jesus’ earthly life. On this night, we recall the Last Supper, when Jesus gave his disciples the new commandment to love one another and instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion. The Maundy Thursday liturgy includes readings from Holy Scripture, a sermon, the washing of feet as a sign of humble service, the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, and the solemn stripping of the altar as we watch and pray with Christ in the garden. Following the service, you are invited to sign up for an hour of the night watch at the Altar of Repose as we keep vigil in prayer.
Good Friday | April 3rd @ 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday is the day on which the Church remembers the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross. On this solemn day, we gather in quiet prayer to hear the story of the Passion according to John and to reflect on the depth of Christ’s love for the world. The Good Friday liturgy includes readings from Holy Scripture, a sermon, the Solemn Collects for the Church and the world, the veneration of the cross, and the reception of Holy Communion from the reserved sacrament.
Holy Saturday | April 4th @ 7:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday | April 5th @ 10:30 a.m.
Easter Sunday is the joyful celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. On this day, the Church gathers to proclaim that Christ has conquered sin and death and opened for us the way to new and everlasting life. The Easter liturgy includes readings from Holy Scripture, a sermon, and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist as we rejoice together in the good news that Christ is risen.
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