Holy Week schedule for the Archdiocese of Newark

On Sunday, April 13, the Archdiocese of Newark will join the Universal Church as Catholics and other Christians enter the most sacred week of the year, beginning with Palm Sunday and culminating in the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, will preside over Holy Week liturgies at Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart as follows:

April 13 | Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

 Cardinal Tobin will preside at the noon Palm Sunday Mass. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphant arrival in Jerusalem. During Mass, Catholics will hear the gospel account of the Passion and Crucifixion of Christ. Blessed palm fronds will be distributed.

April 14 | Chrism Mass | Mass of the Holy Oils

 Cardinal Tobin will preside at the 8 p.m. Chrism Mass. 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. Chrism is also used to bless altars and churches. After the Chrism Mass, representatives from each parish receive the blessed oils in the name of their communities. The Mass, celebrated annually in every diocese around the world, 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 the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), baptism and confirmation programs.

April 17 | Holy Thursday | Mass of the Lord’s Supper

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

April 18 | Good Friday | Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion

 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.

There will be a Spanish-language liturgy will at 5 p.m., followed by a choral adaptation of the Stations of the Cross performed by the Cathedral Choir at 8 p.m.

April 19 | Holy Saturday | Easter Vigil

 Cardinal Tobin will celebrate the bilingual Easter Vigil Mass beginning at 8:30 p.m. The Easter Vigil, which begins after nightfall, is the first and most important celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection. Catholics celebrate the Festival of Light, symbolizing the Light of the Resurrection as the Paschal candle is lit within the darkened cathedral. OCIA catechumens will also be welcomed into the faith at this Mass and will receive the sacraments of baptism, Eucharist, and confirmation.

April 20 | Easter Sunday | Resurrection of Our Lord

 Cardinal Tobin will celebrate the Easter Sunday Mass in Spanish at 10 a.m.

All Holy Week liturgies will be livestreamed through the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart’s YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.newarkbasilica.org/holyweek.