The high point of the Christian calendar, Holy Week, starts today on Palm Sunday, and concludes on Holy Saturday. During Holy Week the Church celebrates the mysteries of salvation accomplished by Christ during His last days of life on earth, beginning with His messianic entrance into Jerusalem. The Lenten season lasts until Holy Thursday this week, and the Easter Triduum begins with evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.
This year’s Holy Week and Easter will be observed under very different circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic. To facilitate the faithful participating from home in a “spiritual communion” with Christ, a web feature is now available on catholicbishops.ie hosting details of:
- Pope Francis’ schedule for Holy Week and the Easter Triduum
- Webcam links to parish churches and diocesan cathedrals across Ireland
- Mass readings for Holy Week and Easter 2020
- Bishops’ homilies and messages for Holy Week and Easter
- Special Holy Week series of daily reflections on the Bishops’ faith podcast Faithcast #HolyWeekAtHome
- Prayers, and additional resources to creatively mark Holy Week at home
This year the liturgical celebrations of Pope Francis from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday will take place in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, without the presence of the faithful. The Holy Father will celebrate Easter Sunday Mass in the basilica and conclude with the Urbi et Orbi message and blessing.
Details of Easter services on terrestrial television and radio will also be available on catholicbishops.ie. RTÉ will broadcast Mass live from the Cathedral of Christ the King in Mullingar on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Saturday, to be celebrated by Bishop Tom Deenihan, Father Joe Campbell, and Father Derek Darby.
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