Holy Week

Ora et Labora

ANDREW KWIATKOWSKI ‘22, ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE

Every priest knows that the busiest time of year is Holy Week. There are four large, distinct liturgies that all occur within the span of a week. In a normal parish, there are many meetings between the pastor and various groups such as the choir, sacristans, and servers, and it is no different here at the College. As the

Head Master of Ceremonies (MC), it was my responsibility to coordinate with Fr. Kurt Belsole, OSB, Director of Liturgy, and ensure the liturgies were executed according to plan.

I think this year’s Triduum went exceptionally well, and the liturgies were both prayerful and beautiful.

Of course, preparation requires a huge effort; various parts came together to create a reverent atmosphere and experience. All the masters of ceremonies were dedicated to their work, as were the servers, but it is also a credit to those other important contributors such as the choir (led by Fr. Vincent Ferrer Bagan, O.P.), sacristans (led by Daniel Hammer), environmental sacristans (led by Joseph Ferme) and, of course, Fr. Belsole, who is like the pastor who fruitfully brings these groups together into harmony.

My specific role is organizing and leading each liturgy from beginning to end. Normally, this is a five-step process that includes privately studying the liturgy; meeting with Fr. Belsole to discuss the liturgy; a walkthrough that

James Cardinal Harvey '75 celebrates the Easter Vigil.

requires physically going through the liturgy; a meeting with all the masters of ceremonies and sacristans involved; and finally, a comprehensive rehearsal. Although these preparations can be time consuming, they mostly occur throughout Holy Week when there are no classes scheduled. In the end, this tedious process is worth it, since it allows us to help our community encounter the living God and enter more deeply into the Paschal Mystery.

In a strange twist, I was also the MC for last year’s Holy Week as all the Australian seminarians were unable to return home due to the COVID-19 restrictions in our country. The circumstances between these past two years were obviously completely different. Last year’s Holy Week was quite small, whereas this year the entire College community was present. Looking back, I think I was more nervous last year in preparing for Holy Week for two reasons. First, I was still learning how to do the job. Secondly, I was learning the Triduum liturgies for the first time. However, this year I felt more confident and better prepared. Of course, another significant difference is that last year I was the only MC and only had two servers, while this year I had an entire team with which to work. Jokingly, I told Fr. Belsole that we were over-complicating it this year since we pulled it off last year with only two servers.

Holy Week 2021 was an elaborate and grand celebration, and it was done all for the greater glory of God! n