The Cathedral of St. Paul announces the following Schedule for Holy Week to which all are invited.
On Sunday, April 17 at 10:15 am, Bishop Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester, will celebrate the Passion Sunday Mass, also known as Palm Sunday, with the Blessing of Palms beginning in the lower church, followed by a procession to the upper church. He will be joined by Bishop Daniel P. Reilly, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Worcester and members of the Cathedral staff. The morning Mass will be delayed broadcast on Charter TV3 beginning at 6 pm. It will also be LIVE webcast on the internet at worcesterdiocese.org and be available as streaming video following the Mass at worcestercatholictv.org.
That evening at 7:30 pm the public is invited to join in prayer at the Solemn Choral Vespers or Tenebrae Service, at which various psalms, hymns and motets are sung by the Cathedral choir along with chanting and reading the Lamentations of the prophet Jeremiah.
On Tuesday, April 19 at 10:30, Bishop McManus will be joined by Bishop Reilly and Bishop George E. Rueger, retired auxiliary bishop, and the clergy of the Diocese of Worcester in the celebration of the Chrism Mass. At this Mass, oils which are used for anointing the sick, baptisms, confirmations, and ordinations to the priesthood will be blessed. Representatives of all the parishes will be in attendance. Priests celebrating significant anniversaries will also be recognized for the years of priestly service. The Mass will be broadcast live on Charter TV 3 and be webcast at worcesterdiocese.org.
On Thursday, April 21 at 7:30 pm. Bishop McManus will be principal celebrant at the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The Mass marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum, commemorating the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood. The evening Mass is the only celebration of the Eucharist in Catholic parishes on that day. Bishop McManus will wash the feet of twelve parishioners from the Cathedral parish. Music in English and in Spanish will be provided by members of the Cathedral choirs and the Mass will be televised Live on Charter TV3 and webcast at worcesterdiocese.org.
On Friday, April 22 at noon, everyone is welcome to join Bishop Daniel Reilly who will lead Catholics in a public celebration of the Stations of the Cross in downtown Worcester beginning at St. John Church, Temple Street and concluding at the Cathedral of St. Paul on Chatham Street. The procession will stop at various points along the walking path to pray the thirteen Stations of the Cross. Following the concluding prayers, the Sacrament of Confession will be available to any in attendance at the Cathedral. Busses will be available to bring people back to their cars.
Beginning at 1:30 pm, Bishop McManus will lead the Stations of the Cross in Spanish at Great Brook Valley with parishioners of St. Joan of Arc parish, beginning at 284 Tacoma Street and ending at St. Joan of Arc on Lincoln Street, to which the public is welcome to participate.
At 3 pm, the Solemn Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion will be led by Bishop McManus at the Cathedral. The Passion will be chanted by three singers and music will be provided by the Cathedral Choir. The service includes the Veneration of the Cross and distribution of Holy Communion. Mass is not celebrated on Good Friday or on Holy Saturday until the Easter Vigil service beginning at sundown. The first 90 minutes of the service will be broadcast on Charter TV3. The complete service will be webcast at worcesterdiocese.org.
On Saturday, April 23 at 7:30 pm, Bishop McManus will be the principal celebrant of the Easter Vigil Mass, commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord. He will be joined by Bishop Reilly and cathedral staff. At the outset the service is marked by its beginning in darkness and gradually being lit by candlelight. During that service, three members of the Cathedral parish will be fully initiated in the Catholic Church, receiving the sacraments of baptism, communion and confirmation. The Mass will be televised LIVE on Charter TV 3, as well as being webcast at worcesterdiocese.org.
On Sunday, April 24 at 10:15 am, Easter Sunday Mass will be led by Bishop McManus at the Cathedral. TV Ministry will webcast the Mass LIVE at worcesterdiocese.org, and make it available as a streaming video following the Mass at worcestercatholictv.org, as well as delay broadcast the Mass on Charter TV3 at 6 pm.