HARRISBURG, Pa. – Bishop Ronald Gainer invites the faithful to join him in-person and online for Holy Week celebrations from Saint Patrick Cathedral. Last year at this time, churches in the Diocese of Harrisburg were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, our Catholic churches are open for in-person worship.
Holy Week is the week between Palm Sunday and Easter and it is the most important week in the Catholic Church. The Triduum, which is Holy Thursday through Good Saturday, is a time when we remember and suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Bishop Gainer invites all the faithful to join him for Mass during this special time. All Masses can be attended in-person at Saint Patrick Cathedral and also viewed via live stream on the Cathedral’s YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/2P77vZu. The worship aid for these liturgies can be found here.
April 1 – Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord’s Supper, St. Patrick Cathedral, Harrisburg, 5:30 p.m.
The Mass of the Lord’s Supper celebrates the institution of the Most Holy Eucharist and the institution of the Priesthood by Jesus Christ. The Mass concludes with the Blessed Sacrament being placed in a special repository in the Cathedral and the faithful staying to keep watch in prayer, which recalls the disciples staying with our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane.
April 2 – Good Friday, Celebration of the Lord’s Passion followed by Confessions, St. Patrick Cathedral, Harrisburg, 12 Noon.
This solemn service includes the reading of the Passion of Christ. Those assembled then offer special prayers for the entire world. A large crucifix is then venerated by the people. Time for confessions will be available following the Liturgy.
April 3 – Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil, St. Patrick Cathedral, Harrisburg, 8:00 p.m.
This Mass begins with the creation of a blazing fire to remind all that there is no darkness, no death that Christ cannot conquer. Water is blessed and new adult members of the Church are baptized, confirmed and receive Holy Communion for the first time.
April 4 – Easter Mass, St. Patrick Cathedral, Harrisburg, 9:30 a.m.
Mass for Easter Sunday proclaims the Resurrection of our Lord and includes joyous music and the renewal of the Baptismal Promises.
Many of the parishes in the Diocese also continue to live stream Masses during this time. Please visit the parish website directly for Mass and streaming schedules.
The Diocese of Harrisburg comprises 89 parishes across 15 counties in central Pennsylvania.
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