Easter Masses celebrated in many languages honor the rich tapestry of Catholics within the archdiocese

The parishioners of the Archdiocese of Newark are as diverse as the people within the four counties it serves. The Masses that are celebrated in about 20 different languages reflect that diversity.   

Easter is one of the most important Masses for Catholics as it celebrates the resurrection of Christ after dying on the cross for our sins. Holy Week and Easter Masses will be celebrated in many different languages nourishing the faithful’s rich diversity. 

“Easter is the day that changes everything for us as Christians,” Auxiliary Bishop Michael A. Saporito, Regional Bishop of Bergen County. 

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, said the diversity of languages celebrating Easter Sunday Mass throughout the archdiocese is a testament to the universal message of hope, renewal, and redemption that this holy day represents for Christians worldwide.  

“By celebrating our faith in various tongues, not only on Easter Sunday but each week throughout the Archdiocese of Newark’s parish communities, we honor the rich tapestry of Catholics in northern New Jersey and underscore the inclusivity of Christ’s message while enriching our shared spiritual journey,” Cardinal Tobin said. 

Celebrating the Mass and other sacraments in various languages is an ordinary experience within the archdiocese not just at Easter time as the area is a port of entry for newly arrived immigrants, said Auxiliary Bishop Elias R. Lorenzo. O.S. B., regional bishop for Union County.  

“Prayer is deeply personal, as is one’s relationship with God. Therefore, it is natural for people to want to pray at Mass or another sacramental liturgy in their native language, other than English,” Bishop Lorenzo said.  

He said the archdiocese is blessed with many international adjunct priests, and incardinated priests and religious priests who speak two, three, or more languages to meet the pastoral needs of a diverse population of Catholics. 

The archdiocese also has apostolates for Italians, Polish, Filipino, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and African Caribbean Catholics. 

Bishop Saporito said one of the clear messages of the scriptures is that the grace of the saving acts of Christ are intended for people from all nations.  

“We are blessed by so many distinct ethnic groups in our Archdiocese, and one way of opening that message to many is through the use of language,” Bishop Saporito said. “When one hears the message of faith proclaimed in their native language it gives a sense of the Lord’s closeness in their journey of faith and life. It also says that this sacred place is your home.” 

Here’s a sampling of Archdiocese of Newark Easter Masses offered in different languages 

Chinese 

• Holy Cross Church, Harrison, 2 p.m. 

Filipino 

St. John The Evangelist, Bergenfield 

Pabasa NG Pasyon 

Holy Wednesday, 7 p.m.-12 

Holy Thursday, 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. 

Good Friday, 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. 

Italian 

• Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Newark, 10 a.m. 
• St. Lucy’s Church, Newark, 8 a.m. 
• St. Francis Church, Hoboken, 11 a.m. 
• Holy Rosary Church, Jersey City, 9 a.m. (Bilingual English/Italian) 
• Our Lady of Grace Church, Fairview, 5 p.m. 
• St Joseph’s Church, Lodi, 9:30 a.m. (Bilingual English/Italian) 
• Our Lady of Mount Virgin, Garfield, 9:45 a.m. 
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Bayonne, 8:30 a.m. 
• St. Nicholas, Palisades Park, 11 a.m. 
• St. Francis Church, Hackensack, 9:30 a.m. 

Polish 

• St. Casimir Church, Newark, Holy Week 

Holy Thursday, March 28, 7 p.m., Mass of the Lord’s Supper (English/Polish); Procession to Repository and Adoration to 10 p.m. 

Good Friday, March 29, 7 p.m., Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion and Holy Communion (English/Polish); Bitter Lamentations & Adoration at the Tomb to 10 p.m. 

Holy Saturday, March 30, Blessing of Easter Food, 9:00 a.m. 10 a.m. 11 a.m. noon; The Easter Vigil Mass (English/Polish), 7 p.m. 

Easter Sunday, March 31, 7 a.m., Resurrection Procession and Mass in Polish; Mass in Polish 11 a.m. 

Easter Monday, April 1, 9 a.m., Mass (English/Polish) 

For the following, go to parish websites to check for Mass times. 

• Most Sacred Heart of Jesus R.C. Church, Wallington 
• Our Lady of Czestochowa R.C. Church, Harrison 
• St. John Paul II Church Bayonne 
• Sacred Heart of Jesus R.C. Church, Irvington 
• St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church, Jersey City 
• St. Ann R.C. Church, Jersey City 
• St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr R.C. Church, Newark 
• St. Adalbert and Sts. Peter & Paul R.C. Church, Elizabeth 
• St. Hedwig’s R.C. Church, Elizabeth 
• St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, Hackensack 
• St. Michael the Archangel R.C. Church, Lyndhurst 
• St. Stanislaus Kostka, R.C. Church, Garfield 
• St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish, Linden 
• Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary R.C. Church, Mahwah 

• Church of St. Bernard of Clairvaux & St. Stanislaus Kostka, Plainfield 
• St. Casimir Church, Newark, Newark 
• Our Lady of Czestochowa, Jersey City 

Portuguese 

• Our Lady of Fatima, Newark, 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. 
• Our Lady of Fatima, Elizabeth, 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and noon 
• Holy Trinity-Epiphany, Newark, 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m. 
• St. Benedict, Newark, 9 a.m. 
• St. James, Newark, 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. 
• Holy Cross, Harrison, 9 a.m. 
• St. Cecilia, Kearny, 9 a.m. 
• St. Francis Xavier, Newark, 9 a.m. 
• St. Francis de Sales, Lodi, 9 a.m. 

Spanish 

• Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark, 10 a.m. 

The Hispanic Apostolate does not have a schedule for Easter services. Visit their website for more information. 

Swahili 

• St. Patrick & Assumption All Saints Parish, Jersey City, 9:30 a.m. 

American Sign Language interpreter 

• Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark, noon 

• St. Teresa of Avila Church, Summit, 10:30 a.m.