Palm Sunday through Easter is the holiest week of the Church year, when Christians celebrate the Passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus. Through Holy Week, Bishop David Zubik will celebrate liturgies at Saint Paul Cathedral and host community events to help the faithful enter into the mystery of these sacred days.
“This is the most important week of the year for Christians. We reflect deeply on Jesus’ Passion and death, through which He atoned for the sins of all people. His rising from the dead on Easter Sunday breaks the power of sin and death, calling us to share the joy and hope of the Resurrection,” Bishop Zubik said.
“This Holy Week, I encourage the faithful to imagine Jesus’ view from the cross. What does He see when He looks down from it at all of us? Imagine the love with which he gazes upon you and me. Allow that love to transform your heart. It is a true blessing that we can gather together as the People of God during these holy days to celebrate that love.”
Bishop Zubik’s Holy Week schedule is as follows:
Palm Sunday: March 24, 2024
10:00 a.m.: Mass at Saint Paul Cathedral (Fifth Avenue at Craig Street), with Bishop Zubik as principal celebrant.*
Palms will be available.
Holy Thursday: March 28, 2024
10:00 a.m.: Chrism Mass at Saint Paul Cathedral with Bishop Zubik, principal celebrant and homilist.*
This Mass marks the institution of the priesthood. Priests renew their ordination promises. The bishop consecrates all holy oils that parishes and the diocese will use throughout the year.
2:30 p.m.: Bishop Zubik will celebrate Mass at Allegheny County Jail and wash inmates’ feet.
7:00 p.m.: Mass of the Lord’s Supper at Saint Paul Cathedral, with Bishop Zubik, principal celebrant.*
The cathedral will be open for private prayer until midnight.
Good Friday: March 29, 2024
1:30 p.m.: Liturgy with Bishop Zubik, presider and homilist.*
Good Friday is the only day of the year on which there is no Mass.
7:00 p.m.: Ecumenical Tenebrae prayer service, with Bishop Zubik, presider, and local leaders of other faith denominations.*
This solemn service is marked with Scripture readings and the gradual extinguishing of lights and candles until the church is in darkness and participants quietly process out.
Holy Saturday: March 30, 2024
10:00 a.m.: Ecumenical Blessing of the City of Pittsburgh from the overlook across from Saint Mary of the Mount Church, Mary Queen of Peace Parish, on Grandview Avenue.
Bishop Zubik will participate in this 33rd annual ritual with members of the Christian Leaders Fellowship.
12:00 p.m.: Blessing of food and Easter baskets with Bishop Zubik at Saint Paul Cathedral.
8:30 p.m.: Easter Vigil at Saint Paul Cathedral with Bishop Zubik, presider and homilist.*
This is the holiest liturgy of the Church year, retelling the stories of God’s creation and redemption of the world. It begins with the lighting of a fire outside the church, and the carrying of light into the darkened nave. New Catholics being baptized and received into the Church during a joyous Mass. No other Saturday evening Masses will be celebrated at the Cathedral.
Easter Sunday: March 31, 2024
10:00 a.m.: Easter Mass at Saint Catherine Labouré Parish in St. Louise de Marillac church (320 McMurray Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15241) with Bishop Zubik, principal celebrant and homilist.*
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Easter Blessing of Families at Saint Paul Cathedral with bishops of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. A short prayer service is held at 2:00 p.m., then the bishops will individually greet and bless families.
* These liturgies will be livestreamed on the diocesan YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/@DioPitt) and Saint Paul Cathedral’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/stpaulpgh); and cablecast on Comcast Channel 95 in the City of Pittsburgh.