Cardinal Wuerl to Celebrate Holy Week and Easter Events

Among the events: Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday Washing of the Feet and Easter Vigil

Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Washington will observe the death and resurrection of Christ during Holy Week and Easter and more than 1,200 adults, teens and children will be baptized or confirmed Catholic at the Easter Vigil. This is an exciting time in the life of the Church, in this “Year of Faith" and in the first days of the pontificate of Pope Francis. Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, will lead a number of liturgies. Also, the Archdiocese of Washington will hold bi-lingual events. For more information on those events, go to the news page of www.adw.org.

Wednesday, March 27, 7:30 p.m.: Tenebrae

Cathedral of St. Matthew, 1725 Rhode Island Ave., NW, Washington, DC

Tenebrae is a distinctive ceremony held during Holy Week with the gradual extinguishing of candles while a series of readings and psalms is chanted or recited by the Schola Cantorum. Tenebrae is Latin for “shadows” or “darkness” and by the end of the service, the church is in total darkness. The last candle is hidden beneath the altar. The strepitus (Latin for "great noise"), made by slamming a book shut or the cover of the organ, banging a hymnal, or stomping on the floor symbolizing the earthquake that followed Christ's death. Following the great noise, the candle which had been hidden from view is returned to the altar, signifying the return of Christ to the world with the Resurrection, and all depart in silence.

Thursday, March 28, 5:30 p.m.: Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Cathedral of St. Matthew, 1725 Rhode Island Ave., NW, Washington, DC

During this Mass, which starts the Triduum (the three final days before Easter), Cardinal Wuerl will wash the feet of 12 people, as Christ washed the feet of the apostles at the Last Supper. After Mass, the altar and sanctuary will be stripped of all ornamentation to prepare for Good Friday, the day Christ died on the cross. The Eucharist will be moved in solemn procession to a side chapel. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be held until 10:00 p.m.

Friday, March 29, 1:00 p.m.: Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion and Veneration of the Cross

Cathedral of St. Matthew, 1725 Rhode Island Ave., NW, Washington, DC

Cardinal Wuerl will preside at a Liturgy of the Word and Veneration of the Cross. Please note: No Masses are celebrated in Catholic churches on Good Friday. During the Veneration of the Cross, the people will come forward to kiss a crucifix, recalling Christ’s death for our salvation. The tradition dates back to the late 4th century when Helen, the mother of Constantine, is believed to have discovered the true cross in Jerusalem.

Friday, March 29, 2:00 p.m.: Via Crucis

Starting Point: Our Lady, Queen of the Americas, 2200 California St., NW, Washington, DC

Ending Point: Cathedral of St. Matthew, 1725 Rhode Island Ave., NW, Washington, DC

Thousands of area Catholics, mostly Latino, will take to the streets for traditional Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) processions on Good Friday in remembrance of Christ’s crucifixion. Nearly 200 Latino Catholics will “walk in the footsteps of Christ” to his crucifixion at Mount Calvary as they wind down Connecticut Avenue. Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, will greet the people on the steps of the Cathedral of St. Matthew at 3:45 p.m. as the participants arrive for a Spanish-language Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion and Veneration of the Cross. The Liturgia de la Pasión de N.S. Jesucristo will be celebrated at 4:00 p.m. by Most Rev. Francisco González, S.F., Auxiliary Bishop of Washington. *There are several Via Crucis events in the DC area.

Saturday, March 30, 8:00 p.m.: Easter Vigil Mass

Cathedral of St. Matthew, 1725 Rhode Island Ave., NW, Washington, DC

Please note: No Masses are celebrated in Catholic Churches this day until the evening Vigil. 

In an ancient rite, a giant fire will be lit on the steps of the Cathedral of St. Matthew to symbolize the resurrection of Christ, the light of the world. From that fire, candles held by the more than 1,000 members of the congregation will be lit one by one until the darkened church is full of candlelight. As the Gloria is sung, the cathedral lights will be turned on as the celebration of Christ’s coming resurrection will begin. Adults preparing to become Catholic will be baptized and confirmed during the Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew, and at Masses throughout the Archdiocese of Washington. Cardinal Wuerl will celebrate the Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew.

Sunday, March 31: Easter Sunday Masses

10:00 a.m., Cathedral of St. Matthew, 1725 Rhode Island Ave., NW, Washington, DC

12:00 noon, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Ave., NE, Washington, DC

Cardinal Wuerl will celebrate two Easter Sunday Masses: 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Matthew and Noon at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

The Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) and the Catholic Channel on Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio will broadcast live the noon Mass, celebrated by Cardinal Wuerl.

The Archdiocese of Washington is home to over 620,000 Catholics, 139 parishes and 97 Catholic schools, located in Washington, DC and five Maryland counties: Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s.