FALL RIVER — Holy Week, the week during Lent before Easter, begins this weekend (April 12/13) with Masses for Palm Sunday.  It is the most holy of weeks during the entire Church year.

On Palm Sunday, Catholics receive pieces of blessed palm branches and recall Jesus’ entry into the city of Jerusalem.  Holy Thursday celebrates the Last Supper of Jesus with his apostles and centers on the gift of the Eucharist.  On Good Friday Catholics are invited to reflect on the death of Jesus during the reading of the Passion and recite a litany of prayers for the Church and people of all ranks. Veneration of the Cross is also an important aspect of Good Friday services, which take place usually but not always at 3:00 p.m.

At Mass on Holy Saturday night the Paschal Candle is lit, baptismal promises are renewed, and converts are baptized and confirmed.  This is known as the Easter Vigil.

Easter is the feast on which Catholics and other Christian people celebrate Jesus Christ’s rising from death to new life.  It is a happy, hope-filled time because Jesus, raised from death just as he promised, offers salvation to all humanity.  Easter is the greatest and most joyful feast of the Church year.

Following below is the schedule of Holy Week Masses and services for St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River.  All are invited to attend.

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE – 2014
The Cathedral Church of St. Mary of the Assumption
327 Second Street (at the corner of Spring Street), Fall River, Mass.

PALM SUNDAY:  April 12-13, 2014
Regular weekend Mass schedule in effect:  Saturday Vigil at 4 p.m., and at 7 p.m. in Portuguese for the Brazilian community, and on Sunday at 10 a.m., and at 12:30 p.m. in Spanish.

CHRISM MASS:  April 15, 2014
Bishop George W. Coleman will celebrate the Mass of Chrism at 4 p.m. with priests of the Diocese who are observing significant anniversaries of priestly ordination concelebrating. During this Mass, the bishop blesses the oils that are used in the sacramental life of the Diocese throughout the year: Oil of Catechumens, Oil of the Sick, and Chrism. Chrism – a mixture of olive oil and balsam- is used at baptism, ordination and the dedication of churches and altars. In the context of the Mass, priests of the Diocese will renew their commitment to service.

WEDNESDAY:  April 16, 2014
An ecumenical Tenebrae prayer service will take place at 7:30 p.m. Bishop Coleman will preside at the service and the Rev. John C. Ozug, Rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral, will offer the reflection.

HOLY THURSDAY:  April 17, 2014
Bishop Coleman will celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY:  April 18, 2014
The celebration of the Lord’s Passion will be held at 3 p.m. The Rev. John C. Ozug, Rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral, will be the main celebrant. Bishop Coleman will preside.

HOLY SATURDAY:  April 19, 2014
Bishop Coleman will celebrate the Easter Vigil at 7:30 p.m.

EASTER SUNDAY:  April 20, 2014
Bishop Coleman will celebrate Easter Mass at 10 a.m.
At 12:30 p.m., Easter Mass will be celebrated in Spanish.

The Easter Television Mass, to be celebrated by Bishop Coleman, will air on WLNE-TV, Channel 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Easter Sunday.

Diocese of Fall River
Diocese of Fall River
Office of Communications