POPE FRANCIS’ SCHEDULE FOR HOLY WEEK
Vatican News will be broadcasting the papal liturgies throughout Holy Week, with live English commentary.
By Christopher Wells
The Vatican is preparing for Holy Week with a full schedule of celebrations scheduled for the holiest portion of the Church year.
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Holy Week 2018 begins on Palm Sunday, March 25th, with the celebration of the thirty-third World Youth Day, celebrated at the diocesan level. The Church’s yearly celebration of young people alternates between international celebrations, held every two-three years, and diocesan events.
This year’s World Youth Day has the theme, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.” Those are the words of the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin at the Annunciation, as related in the Gospel of St. Luke.
For the diocese of Rome, the celebration will take place in St Peter’s Square, with Pope Francis presiding at the Blessing of Palms and the Procession for Palm Sunday, followed by the Mass of the Passion of the Lord.
Holy (Maundy) Thursday
There are two main liturgical events on Holy Thursday: the Chrism Mass, celebrated in St Peter’s Basilica; and the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which the Holy Father will offer in the Regina Coeli prison, not far from the Vatican.
During the Chrism Mass, the local Bishop consecrates and blesses the Sacred Oils – Chrism, used for Confirmation, and in the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Orders; the oil of catechumens, also used in Baptism; and the oil of the sick, for the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. In Rome, the blessed oils are taken to the cathedral (of the bishop of Rome, the Pope), that is, St. John Lateran basilica, where they are dispensed to the parishes throughout the diocese.
Pope’s Holy Thursday liturgy in Rome’s Regina Coeli prison
On Thursday evening, Pope Francis will celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, commemorating the institution of both the Most Holy Eucharist and the priesthood. Following a custom established at the very beginning of his pontificate, the Pope will say the Mass in a prison, this year at Regina Coeli. He will wash the feet of twelve inmates in imitation of the actions of Jesus Himself at the Last Supper.
The Pope will also have the opportunity to visit with sick inmates in the prison infirmary, as well as with prisoners in “Section VIII”, a protected area of the facility for prisoners who might be at risk in the general population.
Good Friday
On Good Friday, Pope Francis will preside at the solemn liturgical celebration of the Lord’s Passion. The Good Friday service is not a Mass, as the Holy Eucharist is not confected. The ritual consists in the Liturgy of the Word; the Adoration of the Cross; and the Rite of Communion, where Hosts consecrated on Holy Thursday are distributed to priests and faithful.
Following the Liturgy, Pope Francis will travel across town to the Colosseum where he will officiate at the Via Crucis, the Way of the Cross. The Holy Father will offer a reflection at the conclusion of the service, followed by his Apostolic Blessing.
The Paschal Vigil and Easter Sunday
The rites of Holy Week reach their climax during the Easter Vigil of Holy Saturday, the “Mother of all Vigils.” The ceremony begins with the lighting of the new fire, which will take place in the atrium of St Peter’s Basilica. Then, with the Paschal Candle, the ministers will process to the sanctuary where Pope Francis will preside at the Solemn Mass. The Mass is notable for the chanting of the Exultet, the solemn proclamation of the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead; and for the Baptismal liturgy that takes place after the Liturgy of the Word.
Finally, on Easter Sunday morning, Pope Francis will celebrate the Solemn Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord in Saint Peter’s Square. Following Mass, the Holy Father will give his Urbi et Orbi ( to the City and to the world) blessing.
Vatican News will be providing full coverage of all the papal events, with live commentary for the major liturgies. The broadcast begins immediately before the beginning of each ceremony.
Here is the full schedule for the papal events during Holy Week 2018 (all times local Roman time):
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord – 25 March – 33rd World Youth Day – St Peter’s Square – 10.00 Solemn Mass of the Passion of the Lord (with Blessing and Procession of Palms)
Holy Wednesday – 28 March – St Peter’s Square – 10.00 General Audience
Holy Thursday – 29 March – Basilica of St Peter – 10.00 Chrism Mass
Holy Thursday – 29 March – Regina Coeli prison – 16.30 Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Good Friday – 30 March – Basilica of St Peter – 17.00 Celebration of the Passion of the Lord
Good Friday – 30 March – Colosseum – 21.15 Via Crucis (Way of the Cross)
Holy Saturday – 31 March – Basilica of St Peter – 20.30 The Easter Vigil – Solemn Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord
Easter Sunday – 1 April – St. Peter’s Square – Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord – Urbi et Orbi blessing
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