by Ryan Glenn
 |
| Seminarians lead the Palm Sunday procession |
As seminarians, we were asked to serve with Bishop Joseph Bambera at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton during the many different liturgies of Holy Week. Beginning on
Palm Sunday, we marked Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem with a procession of palms and hymns of praise. Yet, during this Mass, we also read the Passion account of St. Mark and remembered that the same crowds who welcomed Jesus later called for his crucifixion.
 |
| Bishop Bambera with many priests of the diocese |
On Tuesday, the seminarians were present for the
Chrism Mass. At this liturgy, the bishop, as chief shepherd and pastor of the Diocese, blesses three different types of oils used in the pastoral ministry of the Church. Along with blessing these oils and the sacred chrism, the bishop also presided over the renewal of promises made by the many priests present at the Mass. It was moving for me to see the bishop at the altar surrounded by many of the dedicated priests ministering in our diocese!
 |
| The bishop washing feet on Holy Thursday |
Holy Thursday marks the beginning of the Triduum, the three holiest days of our faith in which we participate in the Paschal Mystery of Christ. On Thursday, we encounter Christ the Servant Leader, he who humbly washes his disciples' feet. On Thursday evening, we also recall Jesus' gift to the Church, that of his own Body and Blood through the Eucharistic elements of bread and wine.
 |
| Deacon Seth Wasnock during Good Friday |
The stark and solemn
Good Friday service recalls how Jesus humbled and emptied himself, accepting death, even death on the Cross. God's self-emptying love is made manifest in the Cross. All those gathered in the cathedral approached the Cross and venerated it with a kiss. By his Cross, we are freed from the bondage of sin and participate in the life of God.
 |
| The bishop leads Christina to the baptismal font |
Finally on Saturday evening, we gathered with Bishop Bambera around the holy fire to begin the celebration of the
Easter Vigil. Christ, risen from the grave, is our true Light. Through Christ's death and resurrection, we have new life. We were privelaged to be present as one member of the cathedral parish community, Christina, was baptized, confirmed, and received Holy Communion. Through the Easter sacraments, Christina participated in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We too share in the Paschal Mystery by our own baptism and sharing in the Eucharistic banquet. God's love triumphs over darkness and the grave. This is our Easter faith!
It was a privelage for us to be present at the Cathedral of St. Peter with the bishop during Holy Week. Our future ministry as priests will be intimately tied to this week as we accompany others into the Paschal Mystery of Christ. It is my hope that I will always be mindful of the Good News of Easter, described by Bishop Bambera in this way:
"In the midst of all that unfolds around us, signs of the Resurrection continue to abound in our lives and throughout the Church of Scranton! Jesus is raised from the dead and has been living within the lives and hearts of his faithful people from the moment of his resurrection, guiding his Church and giving it life. May we be renewed during this Easter season to continually embrace our mission as a Church to make evident, in tangible and convincing ways, the life and love of the risen Jesus."
_______________________________________________________________________
Ryan P. Glenn, from Mountain Top, is completing his first year of seminary formation at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, MD. Prior to entering St. Mary's, Ryan had studied at King's College in Wilkes-Barre and the University of Notre Dame, IN. Ryan's home parish is St. Jude's in Mountain Top.