A newly-confirmed youth lights the candle of a Glenmary Sister during the Easter Vigil at St. Stephen Cathedral on April 16. TINA KASEY | WKC
Holy Week 2022 at the cathedral offers glimpse of post-pandemic reality
BY WKC STAFF
Holy Week 2022, which took place from April 10-16, included the first Triduum in two years that looked closer to life before the COVID-19 pandemic. Holy Week 2020 happened when public worship was still suspended. The faithful observed Holy Week and the Triduum in their homes, perhaps watching their parishes’ liturgies via livestream. Holy Week 2021 saw the return to the celebrations in-person, but masking, social distancing and restricted liturgical practices remained a prominent aspect of the season. This year, as infection cases declined, Bishop William F. Medley celebrated Holy Week in a packed St. Stephen Cathedral – indicating that, as he stated in his Chrism Mass 2022 homily, “the human race has once again turned back a formidable enemy” in COVID-19.
Seminarian Conrad Jaconette assists Fr. John Thomas, rector of St. Stephen Cathedral, with holy water for the blessing of the palms during Palm Sunday at the cathedral on April 10. RILEY GREIF | WKC
A father and his toddler smile as Bishop William F. Medley washes their feet during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 14, at St. Stephen Cathedral. RILEY GREIF | WKC
Bishop William F. Medley venerates the cross during the Good Friday liturgy at St. Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro on April 15. The cathedral’s cross contains a relic of the true cross. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
Check out more pictures from Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum at St. Stephen Cathedral in the Diocese of Owensboro’s photo album on Facebook.
Originally printed in the May 2022 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
