Celebrating the Paschal Mystery

The Paschal Cycle comprises three distinct periods: 

1. Lent, which is the time of preparation
2. Holy week with the Sacred Triduum
3. Easter Tide which is a time of great celebration ending with Pentecost

During Holy Week we 

1. celebrate of the mystery of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
2. and recommit ourselves to this mystery we celebrate

For a complete list of Holy Week offerings including liturgies, learning and outreach opportunities, visit our Events Calendar and check the box for "Holy Week" in the filter.

Holy Week

This week of intense prayer forms the heart of the liturgical year. We invite you to make this a time of retreat and to join us for the beautiful liturgies of this week. These include:

• On Palm Sunday the first day of Holy Week, we commemorate the solemn entry of Jesus into Jerusalem with the blessing of palms and the procession into the church. 

  • Vigil Mass with Blessing of Palms on Saturday at 5:00pm.

  • Sunday Eucharist with Blessing of Palms  at 7:30am.

  • Sunday Eucharist with Blessing of Palms and Palm Procession at 9:30am. Weather permitting we will gather on the plaza in front of The Basilica.

  • Sunday Eucharist with Blessing of Palms  and Palm Procession at Noon. Weather permitting we will gather on the plaza in front of The Basilica.

  • Vespers concert with The Basilica Schola Cantorum at 2:30pm in the choir stalls.

  • Evening Prayer at 3:00pm in the choir stalls.

  • Sunday Eucharist with Blessing of Palms  at 4:30pm.

  • Sunday Eucharist with Blessing of Palms  at 6:30pm.

• Monday of Holy Week 

  • Eucharist at 7:00am in the St. Joseph Chapel.

  • Morning Prayer in the choir stalls at 9:15am.

  • Eucharist at noon in the St. Joseph Chapel.

• Tuesday of Holy Week 

  • Eucharist at 7:00am in the St. Joseph Chapel.

  • Morning Prayer in the choir stalls at 9:15am.

  • Eucharist at noon in the St. Joseph Chapel.

  • ​Taizé Prayer around the cross at 5:30pm in Teresa of Calcutta Hall in the lower level of The Basilica. Several priests will be available for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the service.

• Wednesday of Holy Week

  • Eucharist at 7:00am in the St. Joseph Chapel.

  • Morning Prayer in the choir stalls at 9:15am.

  • Eucharist at noon in the St. Joseph Chapel.

• Holy Thursday: we commemorate Jesus' command to celebrate the Eucharist and to wash one another's feet.

  • No Eucharist at 7:00am or noon.

  • Morning Prayer in the choir stalls at 9:15am.

  • Midday Prayer in the choir stalls at Noon.

  • Celebration of the Lord's Supper at 7:00pm in The Basilica.

  • Quiet prayer in the choir stalls following the Celebration of the Lord's Supper until 10:00pm

• Good Friday: we commemorate the death of Jesus and venerate the Cross of Salvation.

  • No Eucharist at 7:00am or Noon

  • Morning Prayer in the choir stalls at 9:15am.

  • Stations of the Cross in The Basilica at Noon.

  • Celebration of the Lord's Passion at 3:00pm in The Basilica.

  • Tenebrae at 7:00pm in The Basilica.

• Holy Saturday: we keep vigil; we celebrate the Resurrection and we initiate new members into our community through Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

  • Morning Prayerin the choir stalls at 9:15am.

  • Midday Prayer in the choir stalls at Noon.

  • The Great Easter Vigil at 7:00pm in The Basilica. Please gather around the Easter Fire on the plaze in front of The Basilica for  the beginning of the service.

• Easter Sunday: we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ.

  • Eucharist at dawn at 7:00am.

  • Solemn Eucharist at 9:30am with The Basilica Cathedral Choir, The Basilica Brass Ensemble and organ.

  • Solemn Eucharist at Noon with The Basilica Cathedral Choir, The Basilica Choristers, The Basilica Brass Ensemble and organ.

  • Eucharist at 4:30pm with Mundus, The Basilica's contemporary and world music ensemble and Juventus, The Basilica's youth choir.

  • Please note: there will be NO 6:30pm celebration of the Eucharist.

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