Archdiocese of Newark to observe Holy Week 2023 (full schedule)

On Sunday, April 2, Christians around the world will begin the observance of Holy Week to commemorate Jesus’ death and resurrection, which is celebrated on Easter Sunday, April 9. The nearly 1.3 million Catholics worshiping in the 212 Catholic parishes of the Archdiocese of Newark throughout Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties will mark the days leading to Easter Sunday with a full range of liturgies — Mass, Stations of the Cross, prayer services, and more.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, will preside at liturgies as follows:

2023 Holy Week Schedule

*Catholics will receive blessed palms during Palm Sunday Mass, which commemorates the triumphant entrance of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem.* *(Photo by Archdiocese of Newark/Julio Eduardo Herrera)*

April 2 | Palm Sunday

Cardinal Tobin will preside at 12:30 p.m. Palm Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Ridgewood. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphant arrival in Jerusalem. During Mass, Catholics will hear the Gospel account of the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus. Blessed palm fronds representing the palm branches the crowds scattered in front of Christ as he rode into the city will be distributed.

April 3 | Chrism Mass

Cardinal Tobin will preside at the 8 p.m. Chrism Mass at Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Catholics will witness the blessing of the Chrism, a mixture of oil and balsam, or balm, used in archdiocesan parishes throughout the coming year for the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, the Anointing of the Sick, and to anoint newly ordained priests and deacons. The Chrism also is used to bless altars and churches. At the conclusion of the Chrism Mass, representatives from each parish receive the newly blessed oils in the name of their communities. The Mass, celebrated annually in every diocese of the universal Church, also calls on all clergy of the Archdiocese present to renew their promises of ordination. This Mass welcomes all those who share in church ministries, including those in RCIA, Baptism, and Confirmation programs.

April 6 | Holy Thursday | Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Cardinal Tobin will preside at the bilingual 7:30 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, which commemorates Christ’s Washing of the Feet and the institution of the Eucharist during the Last Supper. During this Mass, in imitation of Christ’s humility and actions at the Last Supper, Cardinal Tobin will wash the feet of representatives of the Cathedral parish community. After Mass, the Cathedral’s sanctuary will be stripped of all decor and the crucifix will be covered by purple cloth in preparation for the solemn Good Friday liturgy.

*Holy oils are distributed during the annual Chrism Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark.* *(Photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of Newark)*

April 7 | Good Friday | Celebration of the Passion of the Lord

Following the Stations of the Cross at 12 p.m. in the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Cardinal Tobin will preside at the 3 p.m. Good Friday Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion to commemorate Christ’s suffering and death through prayer, silence, and Adoration of the Cross. A Spanish-language liturgy follows at 5 p.m., followed by a Spanish-language Stations of the Cross at 6 p.m. A choral adaptation of the Stations of the Cross will be performed at 8 p.m.

April 8 | Easter Vigil

Cardinal Tobin will celebrate the bilingual Easter Vigil Mass beginning at 8:30 p.m. in the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The Easter Vigil, which begins after nightfall, is the first and most important celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. At this liturgy, Catholics will celebrate the festival of light, symbolizing the Light of the Resurrection seen in the new fire, the Easter or Paschal candle lit within a darkened cathedral. The “Alleluia” will be praised for the first time since the start of Lent. New members of the Catholic Church — The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Catechumens — also will be welcomed into the faith at this Mass and will receive the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation.

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*The Good Friday Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion commemorates Christ’s suffering and death through prayer, silence, and Adoration of the Cross.* *(Photo by Archdiocese of Newark/Sean Quinn)*

The Archdiocese of Newark will livestream the aforementioned Holy Week liturgies on its YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Return of Consecrated Wine from Chalice During Holy Week

The Archdiocese of Newark announced recently that Cardinal Tobin has restored the practice of offering consecrated wine, or the Blood of Christ, during the celebration of Mass in the Archdiocese beginning on Holy Thursday, April 6. The practice had been on hiatus since 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns and safety restrictions, and only priests have been permitted to receive Communion from the cup during Mass over the past three years. The directive also calls for the Archdiocese to foster a renewed fullness in liturgical celebrations and to discontinue remaining pandemic restrictions or accommodations.

For more information on Holy Week in the Archdiocese of Newark, visit https://www.rcan.org/offices-and-ministries/divine-worship.

Featured image: Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin washes the feet of representatives of the Cathedral parish community during Holy Thursday Mass in 2022 at Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. (Photo by Archdiocese of Newark/Sean Quinn)