Holy Week and Easter 2020

During Holy Week, the Church celebrates the mysteries of salvation accomplished by Christ in the last days of his life on earth, beginning with his messianic entrance into Jerusalem. The Lenten season lasts until the Thursday of this week. The Easter Triduum begins with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.

This year’s Holy Week is being observed in very different circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic. People will experience Holy Week at home during these days. We hope the following information and resources will assist the faithful with their observance of Holy Week and Easter 2020. Do join in on social media using the hashtags #LivingHolyWeek and #HolyWeekAtHome to connect with others and share how you are living Holy Week 2020.

The following resources are included below:

• Mass Readings for Holy Week and Easter 2020
• Details of Pope Francis’ schedule for Holy Week and the Easter Triduum
• Bishops’ Homilies and Messages for Holy Week and Easter
• Details of online broadcasts of services in dioceses
• Details of Easter Services on Television and Radio
• Special Holy Week series of Bishops’ Faithcast podcast
• Additional resources to creatively mark Holy Week at Home
• Prayers

Readings for Holy Week and Easter 2020:  

All daily Mass readings are available on www.catholicbishops.ie/readings

Monday in Holy Week 6 April 2020
Is 42: 1-7. Ps 26:1-3, 13-14, R/ v 1. Jn 12:1-11.

Our attention is now focused on the great mystery of Christ, dying and rising. The sense of impending doom hovers over the actions of Jesus. Like a lamb led to the slaughter, Christ does not cry out or shout aloud. Mary’s anointing becomes one of preparation of the body for burial after death. All things are being readied for the final hour. The chrism is prepared for blessing by the bishop this week: it will be used to sign new Christians with the Cross, to seal them for Christ.

Tuesday in Holy Week 7 April 2020
Is 49:1-6. Ps 70:1-6, 15, 17, R/ v 15. Jn 13:21-33, 36-38.

The words of Isaiah speak beautifully of our vocation in Christ. Chosen before birth, given great gifts of body and mind, called to be servant of the Most High, and destined to be a light of the nations so that Christ’s salvation may be brought to the ends of the earth. Such is our destiny. And yet, we can fail. We can reject this calling, give way to weakness. Both Judas and Peter in their weakness are put before us today, one to betray, the other to deny. So close to Jesus and yet capable of losing him.

Wednesday in Holy Week 8 April 2020
Is 50: 4-9. Ps 68:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34, R/ v 14. Mt 26:14-25.

Spy Wednesday we call it – for Judas has left his mark on our calendars. The pain of his betrayal is to be felt in the account of Saint Matthew’s Gospel. And thirty pieces of silver goes into language currency ever since. At the end of this lent, which has seen us trying to purify ourselves of all that is not Christian, these thirty pieces of silver come before us as a warning.

Holy Thursday 9 April 2020
Morning: Is 61:1-3, 6, 8-9. Ps 88:21-22, 25, 27, R/ v2. Apoc 1:5-8, Lk 4:16-21.

The Easter Triduum

Christ redeemed us all and gave perfect glory to God principally through his paschal mystery: dying he destroyed our death and rising he restored our life. Therefore the Easter Triduum of the Passion and Resurrection of Christ is the culmination of the entire liturgical year. The celebration of the paschal mystery is not simply a recalling of past events in history. It is a sacramental celebration that renders present and actualises the saving power of Christ’s death and Resurrection to the Church.

Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Ex 12:1-8, 11-14. Ps 115:12-13, 15-18, R/ cf. 1 Cor 10:16. Jn 13:1-15.

The washing of feet, which is already optional, is to be omitted this year.  At the end of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper the procession is also omitted and the Blessed Sacrament is to be kept in the tabernacle.  On this day the faculty to celebrate Mass in a suitable place, without the presence of the people, is exceptionally granted to all priests.

The Scripture readings this evening direct our minds at the opening of the great Paschal celebration to the meaning of what we celebrate. We are entering into this mystery in such a way that when we break bread and share this cup that we once more proclaim the death of the Lord. With this Mass of the Lord’s Supper the Church begins the sacred Easter Triduum and devotes itself to the remembrance of the Last Supper.

Good Friday 10 April 2019 Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 
Is 52:13-53:12, Ps 30:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25, R/ Lk 23:46. Heb 4:14-16, 5:7-9. Jn 18:1-19:42.

Saint John’s account of the Passion is more reflective and theological. He emphasises Jesus’ obedience to the Father’s will. The kingship of Jesus is asserted: the crucifixion is a victory, the hour of death is also the hour triumph. ‘Christ gives his life, he is “lifted up” on the Cross, but willingly’.

In contemplating the Cross of its Lord, the Church commemorates its own origin and its mission to extend to all peoples the blessed effects of Christ’s Passion that it celebrates on this day in a spirit of thanksgiving for his marvellous gift.

In the Universal Prayer, Bishops will arrange to have a special intention prepared for those who find themselves in distress, the sick, the dead, (cf. Missale Romanum).  The adoration of the Cross by kissing it shall be limited solely to the celebrant.

Holy Saturday 11 April 2020 Easter Vigil 
In accord with ancient tradition, this night is one of vigil for the Lord. Saint Augustine called it ‘the mother of all vigils’. The Gospel of Saint Luke reminds the faithful to have their lamps burning ready, awaiting their master’s return, so that when he arrives he will find them wide awake and will seat them at his table.

There are several different elements to the Easter Vigil: The Service of Light, the Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of Baptism and Liturgy of the Eucharist.

The new fire is blessed outside the church, and its flames should be such that they dispel the darkness and light up the night. All present hold candles to which the light of the new Paschal Candle is gradually passed. The Liturgy of the Word follows with readings from sacred scripture. This year, for the “Baptismal Liturgy” only the “Renewal of Baptismal Promises” is maintained (cf. Missale Romanum). The celebration of the Eucharist which follows is in the fullest sense the Easter Sacrament, the commemoration of the sacrifice of the Cross and the presence of the Risen Christ.

Easter Sunday 12 April 2020 – Easter Day of the Lord’s Resurrection 
Acts 10:34, 37-43. Ps 117:1-2, 16-17, 22-23, R/ v 24. Col 3:104 or 1 Cor 5:6-8. Jn 20:1-9.

‘Christ is risen, alleluia!’ This is the ancient Christian greeting on this day of great joy and happiness for all. Easter is not simply one feast among others, but the “Feast of feasts”.

Schedule of Pope Francis for Holy Week and Easter 2020 

Bishops’ Messages and Homilies for Holy Week and Easter 

This section will go live once texts are available

Additional messages and homilies for Holy Week and Easter will be posted here as they become available.

Details of Online Ceremonies in Dioceses for Holy Week 

Please click on the relevant diocesan link for details of services being streamed online on web cams and/or on social media for Holy Week and Easter 2020. All dioceses are listed here

Holy Week Broadcasts on Television and Radio 

RTÉ broadcasting output of liturgies during Holy Week 2020

Palm Sunday 5 April

1100-1150       Mass on Palm Sunday.  Rev Professor Michael Mullaney, President of Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, celebrates Mass in the

Kairos chapel studio, Maynooth, Co Kildare, with music from internationally  acclaimed singer, Celine Byrne, accompanied by Ronan Murray. (RTÉ One TV / RTÉ Radio 1 Extra / LW252 / Digital Radio platforms.)

1735-1745       A Passover Like No Other. Rabbi Zalman Lent and author and motivational speaker, Yanky Fachler, face the challenge of celebrating Pesach, the Passover festival, which traditionally brings Jews together, in a time of isolation, sickness and fear.  Rabbi Lent has, himself, had to self-isolate and has learned to preach and connect with his congregation online.  They also explore how the story of the first Passover shows that humankind can weather plagues and hardship, if they put their faith in God (RTÉ One).

0615-0618       A Living Word.  Aidan Mathews continues to curate and, in some cases, deliver a daily reflection to start the day.

Holy Thursday 9 April

1640-1735       Mass of the Lord’s Supper.  Father Joe Campbell CC, Mullingar, Diocese of Meath, to celebrate Mass in commemoration of the Last Supper and Christ’s agony in Gethsemane, from the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar. (RTÉ One TV and RTÉ Radio 1 Extra / LW252 / Digital Radio platforms. The Mass will air on radio at the later time of 19.00.)

Good Friday 10 April

1500-1600       Solemn Liturgy for Good Friday.  Live from the Cathedral of Christ the King, Father Derek Darby commemorates the Passion and death of Christ, observing full health and social distancing protocols. (RTÉ One TV & RTÉ Radio 1Extra/LW252)

22.00-2230      The Leap of Faith. Michael Comyn asks whether and how the Easter story continues to resonate with people in today’s Ireland (Radio 1).

Holy Saturday 11 April

2200-2300       Easter Vigil Mass.  Bishop Tom Deenihan of Meath celebrates the resurrection of Christ, with a vigil Mass in the Cathedral of Christ the King.  Beginning with the lighting of the Paschal candle, the liturgy, which signifies the triumph of light over darkness and of life over death (RTÉ Two & RTÉ Radio 1 Extra/LW252).

Easter Sunday 12 April

1000-1100       Easter Sunday Mass. A Eurovision Mass, previously planned for Metz Cathedral, takes place instead in the Dominican Convent of Saint Jacques (Saint James the Great) in Paris, due to France’s COVID-related restrictions on indoor gatherings.  Translation and commentary are by Fr Thomas McCarthy OP (RTÉ One & RTÉ Radio 1 Extra).

1100-1120       Urbi et Orbi: Pope Francis’ Easter Message.  Pope Francis will deliver his Easter blessing To the city and the world with prayer and encouragement by video link from within the Vatican.  Translation and commentary by Fr Thomas McCarthy OP (RTÉ One).

Special Holy Week series of Bishops’ Faithcast podcast

Faithcast, the weekly faith podcast from the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, is launching a special Holy Week series which will focus on how we can live Holy Week as people of faith in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.

Faithcast is a mixture of interviews, news and stories of faith from the Catholic Church in Ireland. The podcast, which is usually published weekly, will now have a daily episode from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.

Contributors to the Holy Week reflection series are:

• Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Dromore and Primate of All Ireland
• Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin,
• Bishop Fintan Monahan, Bishop of Killaloe,
• Caoimhe de Barra, CEO of Trocaire,
• Brother Richard Hendrick Ofm Cap
• Father Vincent Sherlock of Achonry Diocese
• Brenda Drumm, Catholic Communications Office
• Ger Gallagher, Pastoral Worker in Dublin Diocese

The podcasts will be available here on www.catholicbishops.ie and on all Bishops’ Conference social media platforms.

Additional resources to creatively mark Holy Week at Home

This section will be updated throughout Holy Week. 

Join Trócaire for a live webinar during Holy week. Register with the emails below to receive your webinar link.

1. A Prayer to start Holy Week

2. Introduction to Laudato Si