Following is a list of Madison Diocese Holy Week Masses. Check with your parish for local Holy Week Mass times and see the Arts Page and next week’s Easter special section for information on televised coverage of Holy Week Masses.
Palm Sunday, April 5
Palm Sunday (also called Passion Sunday) is the sixth and last Sunday in the season of Lent, marking the beginning of Holy Week. Several traditions for this day include the blessing of palm branches and a procession (a reminder of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem), as well as the Passion reading according to St. Matthew.
- Diocese of Madison: 11 a.m., St. Patrick Church, 404 E. Main St., Madison. Bishop Robert C. Morlino will be the principal celebrant.
- Rome: 9:30 a.m. (3:30 a.m. CST), blessing of palms, procession, Mass. Pope Benedict XVI celebrates.
Monday-Wednesday
In the Diocese of Madison, the Chrism Mass is celebrated on Holy Tuesday. At the Mass, oils to be used during the coming year are blessed, including the Oils of the Sick, of Catechumens, and of Chrism. Chrism is a mixture of oil of olives and balsam specially blessed by the bishop, to be used in sacraments and the consecration of churches and particular items and vessels. Also at the Mass, the priests renew their bonds of service to the Church.
- Diocese of Madison: Tuesday, April 7, 7:30 p.m., St. Maria Goretti Church, 5313 Flad Ave., Madison. Bishop Morlino will be the principal celebrant. (Wheelchair accessible; sign-language interpreter present; assistive-listening devices and large-print worship aids available.)
- Rome: Thursday, April 9, 9:30 a.m. (3:30 a.m. CST), Vatican Basilica. Pope Benedict XVI celebrates.
Tenebrae, which means “darkness” in Latin, is traditionally celebrated on Holy Wednesday, Holy Thursday, and Good Friday. In the service the flames of a 15-candle stand, or hearse, are gradually extinguished after readings and solemn hymns until left with only the Christ candle, which is then hidden. After a great noise (often produced by prayer books or hymnals struck on pews), the Christ candle returns.
- Diocese of Madison: Wednesday, April 8, 7:30 p.m., St. Patrick Church, 404 E. Main St., Madison. Bishop Morlino presides.
Holy Thursday, April 9
Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) commemorates the Last Supper, which often includes the washing of the feet. After the Mass, the host is borne to the altar of repose for veneration.
- Diocese of Madison: 7:30 p.m., St. Patrick Church, 404 E. Main St., Madison. Bishop Morlino will be the principal celebrant. A collection of food and money will be taken for the poor.
- Rome: 5:30 p.m. (11:30 a.m. CST), Basilica of St. John Lateran. Pope Benedict XVI celebrates.
Good Friday, April 10
Good Friday is the commemoration of the Crucifixion of Jesus. The liturgy held on this day, generally around midday, often includes the veneration of the crucifix. The day also commonly includes passion plays or the Way of the Cross and a memorial to Our Lady of Dolours.
- Diocese of Madison: 3 p.m., St. Patrick Church, Madison. Bishop Morlino will be the principal celebrant. Includes solemn chanting of the Passion according to St. John.
- Rome: 5 p.m. (11 a.m. CST). Pope Benedict XVI presides. (Way of the Cross, 9:15 p.m. [3:15 p.m. CST])
Holy Saturday, April 11
The Easter Vigil, which begins after dusk on Holy Saturday, officially marks the beginning of the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. The vigil opens with the blessing of the fire followed by the lighting and benediction of the paschal candle. Up to seven readings from the Old Testament are read, each with a psalm and prayer, followed by a reading from Romans. The “Alleluia” is then heard for the first time since Lent began, and the Gospel is read. After the homily the candidates and elect are baptised and/or confirmed. The Mass of the Eucharist concludes the vigil.
- Diocese of Madison: 8 p.m., St. Patrick Church, Madison. Bishop Morlino will be the principal celebrant.
- Rome: 9 p.m. (3 p.m. CST), Vatican Basilica. Pope Benedict XVI celebrates.
Easter Sunday, April 12
Celebrating the Resurrection of the Lord!
- Diocese of Madison: 11 a.m., St. Patrick Church, Madison. Bishop Morlino will be the principal celebrant.
- Rome: 10:30 a.m. (4:30 a.m. CST), St. Peter’s Square. Pope Benedict XVI celebrates. (Urbi et Orbi follows)