By CatholicPhilly Staff • Posted March 21, 2024

This Sunday, March 24 begins Holy Week in the church as Christians around the globe mark the most solemn mysteries of the Christian faith.

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will lead all the liturgies of the week including the sacred triduum from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday as celebrant and homilist for the Masses at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul located at 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.

All liturgies will also be livestreamed at the archdiocese’s website ArchPhila.org and on Archbishop Pérez’s Facebook page.

Palm Sunday Mass, March 24 at 11:00 a.m.

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the Passion of the Lord is proclaimed as Christians around the globe mark the beginning of the holiest week of the year. Members of the Cathedral Basilica and Cantus Angelorum Cathedral Choirs will assist with liturgical music. Blessed palm will be distributed at all Masses.

The Anticipated Mass in the Basilica will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 5:15 p.m. Other Mass times include 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 6:30 p.m. in the Basilica, and 1:00 p.m. in Spanish in the Cathedral Chapel.

Chrism Mass, March 28, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

During this Mass, Archbishop Pérez will bless the Oil of Catechumens as well as the Oil of the Sick and consecrate the Oil of Chrism. These Holy Oils will be used at parishes throughout the Archdiocese during the coming year in the celebration of the Sacraments.

Members of the Cathedral Basilica and Archdiocesan Choirs, along with the Cathedral Instrumentalists, will assist with liturgical music.

 SACRED PASCHAL TRIDUUM

Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper, March 28 at 7:30 p.m.

This Mass commemorates the Last Supper, during which Christ instituted the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, the Sacrament of Holy Orders, and gave us 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 12 people.

Members of the Cathedral Basilica Choir will assist with liturgical music.

Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament will continue from the conclusion of Mass until 11:00 p.m. at the Repository in the Basilica.

Good Friday Celebration of the Passion of the Lord, March 29 at 3:00 p.m.

The Archbishop will preside and preach at the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, commemorating the Holy Passion and Death of Jesus Christ.

Members of the Cathedral Basilica Choir will assist with liturgical music;

Prior to the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord, The Office of Readings will take place at 12:00 p.m., The Way of the Cross at 1:00 p.m., and a Choral Meditation on the Passion at 2:00 p.m. Confessions will also be heard 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

Easter Vigil Mass, March 30 at 8:00 p.m.

The Easter Vigil Mass celebrating the Resurrection of the Lord will include four parts: Service of Light (Blessing of the Fire and preparation of the Paschal Candle), Liturgy of the Word, Baptismal Liturgy, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Members of the Cathedral Basilica Choir will assist with liturgical music, along with the Cathedral Instrumentalists.

After a reflective and intense period of prayer during Lent, the Elect (unbaptized Candidates) and Candidates (those who have been baptized in other faiths or baptized a Roman Catholic) will become full members of the Catholic Church at the Cathedral and other parishes throughout the Archdiocese at the Easter Vigil and during Easter Time. In 2024, over 600 new Catholics will be welcomed into the Church over Easter.

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord, March 31 at 11:00 a.m.

Members of the Cathedral Basilica Choir will assist with liturgical music, along with the Cathedral Instrumentalists. Mass will also be celebrated at the following times: 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 1:00 p.m. (in English and Spanish) in the Basilica. These Masses will not be available via livestream. There will be no 6:30 p.m. Mass on Easter Sunday.