The Holy Week liturgies are truly an invitation to enter into the richness and depth of the final days of Lent and the Triduum (the final three days of Holy Week: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday), which is actually its own liturgical season.

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is the final Sunday of Lent. This day commemorates the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem, mere days before he would be crucified. The same people who welcomed Christ would later shout for His crucifixion. As we recall the people of Jerusalem welcoming Him with joy and waving palm branches or laying them on the road, we also commit to walking with Christ through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection the rest of the week. Those in attendance receive blessed palms to take home, which serve as reminders of Holy Week.  

Tuesday of Holy Week

In the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, the Chrism Mass is celebrated on this day. Bishop Gregory Parkes will celebrate the Chrism Mass Tuesday, March 31, at 11:00 am at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle.

At the Chrism Mass, Bishop Parkes will bless the Oil of Catechumens, which is used for adults preparing for baptism, and the Oil of the Sick, which is used for those who are seriously ill. He also consecrates the Sacred Chrism, which is oil used in Baptisms and Confirmations throughout the coming year in local parishes.

In addition to the blessing and consecration of the oils, this is a beautiful opportunity to witness the commitment of the priests of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. All priests renew the vows they made at their ordination, and those celebrating milestone anniversaries are recognized.

Holy Thursday

On Holy Thursday, we celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. It is at this Mass that we remember and celebrate the Last Supper, the final meal Jesus shared with his Apostles before His Passion. This Mass focuses on the Eucharist, as the Last Supper is where the Sacrament of Holy Communion was instituted.  

At the Last Supper, Christ washed the feet of his Apostles, demonstrating humility, service, and a deep love for those who faithfully followed Him. This tradition continues at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, as the priests wash the feet of others.  

Following the conclusion of the Mass, the Blessed Sacrament is removed from the sanctuary and taken to an altar of repose, where it remains for Adoration. The main tabernacle is left empty.

Good Friday

Good Friday is a day focused on the suffering and death of Jesus and the sacrifice He made for each of us. It is a day of both fasting and abstinence, as we experience the most penitential day of the year.

This is the one day of the year where no Mass is held anywhere in the world. Instead, we observe the Good Friday liturgy, typically held at 3:00 pm to honor what is traditionally held as the time of Jesus’ last breath on the cross.  

This service begins in total silence, and the priests and deacons lie prostrate before the cross, a gesture of humility, mourning, and sacrifice. The liturgy includes readings from Scripture, a homily, and prayers, followed by the Veneration of the Cross. It is during this time, the faithful process to a cross or crucifix in the sanctuary, and venerate it with a kiss, touch, profound bow, or genuflection, showing gratitude for the sacrifice Christ made.

Following the Veneration of the Cross, the Blessed Sacrament is brought back into the sanctuary and the faithful are able to receive Holy Communion. The liturgy concludes with silence, just as it began.

Easter Vigil

The Easter Vigil, the first of all Easter Masses, takes place in four parts: Service of Light, Liturgy of the Word, Christian Initiation and Renewal, and Holy Eucharist.

This Mass begins outdoors with the Service of Light. The Easter fire and Paschal candle are lit and blessed. This light is then carried inside into a dark church, reminding us of the darkness of Jesus’ tomb. Individual candles held by the congregation are lit, signifying Christ’s light within each of us that radiates out to those around us.  

The Liturgy of the Word follows, still in darkness, focusing on readings from the Old Testament that recount salvation history. At the Gloria, the lights are turned on, signifying the transition from the darkness of death and the tomb to the glory of the Resurrection. This is the first time the Gloria is said or sung since before Ash Wednesday, making it a beautiful moment of rejoicing. A New Testament reading and Gospel are read and a homily is given.  

During the Christian Initiation and Renewal, those who have prepared to become Catholic receive the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. These individuals have stated their desire to become Catholic and have prepared through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) program.  

The faithful in attendance then renew their baptismal promises in place of the Creed that is said during Sunday Masses. The Mass continues with great joy and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

Schedule of Holy Week Celebrations with Bishop Parkes at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle:

• Palm Sunday Mass: Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 9:30 am
• Chrism Mass: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | 11:00 am
• Mass of the Lord’s Supper: Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 7:00 pm
• Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord: Friday, April 3, 2026 | 3:00 pm
• Easter Vigil Mass: Saturday, April 4, 2026 | 8:00 pm

To view the livestream of Holy Week liturgies online, visit www.dosp.org/livestream, www.facebook.com/diostpete, and www.youtube.com/dioceseofstpete.

To view the schedules of Easter Masses at parishes throughout the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, click here.