Archbishop Sartain presides at the Office of Morning Prayer on Holy Thursday: "The Lord has fed us with the finest wheat."


During the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, the Church commemorates the institution of the Eucharist.


After Mass on Holy Thursday, the altar is stripped and the cross is veiled.


This year, Bishop Gordon Bennett, SJ joined the ranks of remarkable theologians, writers, scholars, and pastors who have preached on the Seven Last Words of Christ during the traditional Tre Ore service on Good Friday.


The solemn liturgy of Good Friday begins starkly, with the prostration of the clergy before the altar.




The chanting of the Passion according to John on Good Friday.


The solemn adoration of the cross.  "Behold the wood of the cross, on which hung the salvation of the world.  Come, let us adore."


During veneration, the choir sings the ancient praises of God:  "Holy is God, holy and strong.  Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us!"


Father Ryan brings the Blessed Sacrament to the altar.  Though no Mass is celebrated on Good Friday, we still receive Christ in Holy Communion on this day.




Two of our young Elect wait for the beginning of the Easter Vigil on the steps of the Cathedral.


The Archbishop blesses the new fire.  The Easter Vigil, which is the high point of the liturgical year, is full of rich symbols:  light and darkness, fire and water.  Photo by Stephen Pace.






Photo by Stephen Pace


Father Ryan chants the Easter Proclamation, the Exsultet:  "Let earth be glad, as glory floods her, ablaze with light from her eternal King."


After their long period of preparation, the Elect are at last called to the font for baptism.


"I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."




"You are God's work of art, who chose you in Christ Jesus."










"God is light, in God there is no darkness."


After the baptisms, we all eagerly await the entrance of the Newly Baptized in their white garments.




"Keep the flame of faith alive in your hearts."


The newly-baptized receive the sacrament of Confirmation. "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit."


The newly-baptized now spread the light of Christ to all in the assembly.


Servers stand on the plaza at the Cathedral's front steps at the end of the Vigil.


Congratulations to all our neophytes, our "newborns"! 


A glorious Easter morning in Seattle.


One of our young readers carries the Gospel Book in the entrance procession at the Noon Mass.




Archbishop Sartain preaches at the Noon Mass.


On Easter, we renew our baptismal promises and are sprinkled with the blessed baptismal water. In an ancient Easter homily, St. John Chrysostom wrote: "Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!  First and last alike receive your reward;  rich and poor, rejoice together! Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!  You that have kept the fast, and you that have not, rejoice today, for the Table is richly laden! Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one. Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith. Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!   Let no one grieve at his poverty,  for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again;  for forgiveness has risen from the grave.  Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead. To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!"  Happy Easter!