Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday on April 13

PITTSBURGH, PA— Holy Week, observed from Palm Sunday through Easter, is the most significant week of the Church year. Christians celebrate the great love and mercy of Jesus, as shown through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. There are numerous opportunities for the faithful to enter into the mystery of these holy days through liturgies celebrated by Bishop David Zubik at Saint Paul Cathedral, as well as community events that he will host. 

“We cannot underestimate the impact of these most sacred days,” Bishop Zubik said. “Through Jesus’ unfathomable sufferings and death, He throws wide the gates of heaven to us all through a profound act of mercy for us all. His Resurrection fills us with the hope that we may one day join Him in His glory. The love that He pours from the cross calls each of us to stop in our tracks, allow that love to transform us, invite true contrition for our sins, resolve to serve Christ better in our neighbor, and completely reassure us our sins are forgiven.”
 
Bishop Zubik’s Holy Week schedule is as follows:
 
Palm Sunday: April 13, 2025

• 10 a.m.: Mass at Saint Paul Cathedral (Fifth Avenue at Craig Street), with Bishop Zubik as principal celebrant and homilist.*

• Palms will be available. 

• 3 p.m.: Polish Lamentations with Bishop Zubik at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Polish Hill (3058 Brereton St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219).

 
Holy Thursday: April 17, 2025

• 10 a.m.: Chrism Mass at Saint Paul Cathedral, with Bishop Zubik as 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 p.m.: Mass of the Lord’s Supper at Saint Paul Cathedral, with Bishop Zubik as principal celebrant.*
  • The cathedral will be open for private prayer until midnight.
• Visitation of seven churches for Holy Thursday with the Saint Paul Seminarians.

 
Good Friday: April 18, 2025

• 1:30 p.m.: Liturgy at Saint Paul Cathedral with Bishop Zubik as principal celebrant and homilist.*
  • Good Friday is the only day of the year on which there is no Mass.
• 3 p.m.: Confessions available at Saint Paul Cathedral.
• 7 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: April 19, 2025

• 10 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 34th annual ritual with members of the Christian Leaders Fellowship.
• 12 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 as principal celebrant 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 are baptized and received into the Church during a joyous Mass. No other Saturday evening Masses will be celebrated at the cathedral. 

Easter Sunday: April 20, 2025

• 10 a.m.: Easter Sunday Mass with Bishop Zubik as principal celebrant and homilist at Saint Alexis Church, Saint Aidan Parish (10090 Old Perry Hwy., Wexford, PA 15090).
  • This liturgy will be live streamed only on the diocesan YouTube channel.
• 2 – 4 p.m.: Easter Blessing of Families with Bishop Zubik at Saint Paul Cathedral.
  • All families are invited to meet our bishops, receive an Easter blessing, and take home a sweet treat.

 
* These liturgies will be live streamed 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.
 
 Check with parish websites for parish Holy Week schedules. For a list of diocesan parishes, visit: https://diopitt.org/alphabetical-list-of-current-parishes.
 
 For additional Holy Week information, including the full schedule of events at Saint Paul Cathedral, visit: https://diopitt.org/holy-week-2025.