Posted March 27, 2013

Palm Sunday, March 24, marked the beginning of Holy Week in the Church, and Archbishop Charles J. Chaput celebrated Palm Sunday Mass that day at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.

Read the Archbishop’s column, “Holy Week and the path to Easter 2013.”

Read Pope Francis’ homily on Palm Sunday from Rome.

Besides the dates and times that the Cathedral will host Holy Week liturgies listed below, consult the schedule at your parish and neighboring parishes (find parishes here):

HOLY THURSDAY CHRISM MASS: March 28, 9:40 a.m. (Procession) 10 a.m. (Mass)

Archbishop Chaput will be the principal celebrant and homilist. All archdiocesan priests gather to concelebrate with the Archbishop and to renew their priestly promises. During this Mass, Archbishop Chaput will bless the Oil of Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick, and consecrate the Oil of Chrism. These holy oils are used throughout the Archdiocese during the coming year in the celebration of the sacraments.
For those who cannot attend the Chrism Mass, the Mass will be streamed live at www.archphila.org and broadcast on The Catholic Channel on Sirius XM, and Holy Spirit Radio 1420 AM and 1570 AM.

HOLY THURSDAY MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER: March 28, 5 p.m. 
The Archbishop will be the principal celebrant. Father Dennis Gill, director of the archdiocesan Office for Divine Worship, will be the homilist. This Mass commemorates the Last Supper, during which Christ instituted the sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Holy Orders, and gave His commandment to love one another. After the homily, following the example of Christ who washed the feet of the Apostles at the Last Supper, the Archbishop will wash the feet of seminarians from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

GOOD FRIDAY PASSION OF THE LORD: March 29, 3 p.m.

Msgr. Arthur E. Rodgers, rector of the Cathedral, will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion, commemorating the holy passion and death of Jesus Christ. The traditional adoration of the cross, led by Archbishop Chaput, will take place during the liturgy. There will be three hours of prayer in the Cathedral from noon to 3 p.m. during which confessions will be heard.

EASTER VIGIL: March 30, 8 p.m.

The Archbishop will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Easter Vigil Mass celebrating the Resurrection of the Lord. Four components make up the Easter Vigil: Service of Light (blessing of the fire and lighting of the paschal candle), Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of Baptism and the Liturgy of Eucharist.

After a reflective and intense period of prayer during Lent, catechumens (those who have not been baptized) and candidates (those who have been baptized in other churches) will become full members of the Catholic Church at the Cathedral and parishes throughout the Archdiocese at the Easter Vigil and during Easter time. This year some 800 new Catholics will be welcomed into the Church.

 

EASTER SUNDAY MASS: March 31, 11 a.m.
Archbishop Chaput will be the celebrant and homilist at the 11 a.m. Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord. Other Masses on Easter Sunday are at 8 and 9:30 a.m., and 12:30 and 6:30 p.m.