And So, This Hallowed Journey Begins . . .

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER LITURGIES AT THE 

CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL

Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday 

March 25, 2018 – April 1, 2018

PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD – March 25th 

6:30 p.m. 

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will be the principal celebrant and homilist. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the Passion is proclaimed. It marks the beginning of Holy Week. Other Masses on Palm Sunday are: 5:15 p.m. (Anticipated Mass on Saturday, March 24th ; 8:00 a.m.; 9:30 a.m.; 11:00 a.m. (Procession and Solemn Mass); and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish). 

HOLY THURSDAY CHRISM MASS – March 29th 

10:00 a.m.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will be the principal celebrant and homilist. Each year, Archdiocesan priests are invited to concelebrate with the Archbishop and to renew their priestly promises.

During this Mass, Archbishop Chaput 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. (mult-box feed available)

The Chrism Mass will be streamed live at www.archphila.org as well as on Archbishop Chaput’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ArchbishopChaput. Additionally, the Mass will be broadcast live on The Catholic Channel on Sirius XM, Domestic Church Media, as well as Holy Spirit Radio 1420 AM and 1570 AM.

HOLY THURSDAY MASS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER – March 29th 

7:30 p.m.

 

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will be the principal celebrant. Reverend Monsignor Michael K. Magee, professor at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, will preach the homily. 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 seminarians from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament will continue from the conclusion of Mass until 11:00 p.m. 

GOOD FRIDAY CELEBRATION OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD – March 30th 

3:00 p.m. 

Most Reverend Michael J. Fitzgerald, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, will preside and preach at the Solemn Liturgy of the Lord's Passion, commemorating the Holy Passion and Death of Jesus Christ. During the three hours from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. there will be The Office of Readings at noon, The Way of the Cross at 1:00 p.m., and a Meditation on the Seven Last Words at 2:00 p.m. Confessions will also be heard during this time. 

EASTER VIGIL MASS – March 31st  

8:00 p.m. 

 

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Vigil Mass celebrating the Resurrection of the Lord. The Easter Vigil contains four components: Service of Light (Blessing of the Fire and Lighting of the Paschal Candle), Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of Baptism, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

After a reflective and intense period of prayer during Lent, Catechumens (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 2018, close to 500 new Catholics will be welcomed into the Church over Easter.

EASTER SUNDAY MASS – April 1st 

12:30 p.m. 

 

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will be the celebrant and homilist at the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord. Other Masses on Easter Sunday are: 8:00 a.m.; 9:30 a.m.; 11:00 a.m. (Solemn Mass); and 2:00 p.m. (Spanish Mass in Cathedral Chapel.) There will not be a 6:30 p.m. Mass.