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April 5, 2023
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Holy Week has come to Thomas Aquinas College, beginning with the distinctive liturgy of Palm Sunday. On both the California and New England campuses, students gathered for the blessing of palms, processing into their respective chapels in imitation of the disciples, who celebrated Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where only a few minutes later the Gospel recounted Our Lord’s Passion.

In California, according to custom, the Passion narrative came alive in song, with three cantors and the choir alternating roles to transport the congregation to Christ’s side from Gethsemane to Golgotha. In his homily, Rev. Robert Marczewski, head chaplain, exhorted the students to make the spiritual most of the upcoming Easter recess. “These days are the most holy days which call for more recollection, more prayer, Scripture reading, reflection, and attention to Jesus,” he said. “Let us make this week truly holy as we enter the most sacred mysteries of our faith.”

California Photos
  • The congregation at the steps to the Commons
  • Dan Grimm directs the choir
  • The altar servers process
  • The altar servers at the outdoor pulpit
  • Another view of the congregation
  • Father Marczewski reads the reading
  • The priest blesses the palms
  • Long shot of the priest reading
  • The congregation distributes palms to itself
  • The congregation processes
  • The servers process
  • The priest processes
  • The congregation processes
  • The congregation processes
  • Four singing process
  • The altar servers round a corner
  • The congregation files into the Chapel
  • The choir sings
  • The congregation in the pews
  • Three choir members do the readings

In New England, members of the community gathered in front of St. Thomas More Hall for the blessing of palms, after which the congregation sang hymns as members walked down the hill and into Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel for Mass. Rev. Carlos Viego’s homily focused on the example Christ gives of obedience to God’s will. “Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross,” he said, echoing Philippians 2:8. “So we should also have obedience to God, trusting in His mercy, and bringing ourselves and others to confession.”

New England Photos
  • Fr. Markey and the altar servers in procession
  • The choir sings
  • Fr. Markey reads afront the temporary altar
  • Long shot of the same
  • The congregation, palms in hands
  • Fr. Markey asperges the palms
  • Fr. Markey reads
  • The altar servers process
  • Another view of the same
  • Another view of the same
  • Fr. Markey processes with the congregation
  • Another view of the same
  • Another view of the same, afront the Chapel
  • Fr. Markey processes up the altar
  • Fr. Markey reads the Gospel
  • Fr. Markey delivers the homily
  • Long shot of the same
  • The altar servers recess
  • Another shot of the same
  • Post-mass blessing for the altar servers

On both campuses this week, students will participate in retreats that coincide with the liturgies of the Holy Triduum, culminating in Saturday night’s Easter Vigil — followed by the celebratory brunch, dance, and sunrise hike.