From Sisters Hospitallers we want to inform you that the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff has “updated” the calendar of Holy Week celebrations presided over by the Holy Father, both regarding the calendar and the modalities of participation.
The decision and update of the Calendar of the next liturgical celebrations presided over by the Holy Father are given “as a result of the extraordinary situation that has arisen, due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic”.
“It is communicated, therefore, that the Holy Father will celebrate the Holy Week rites at the Altar of the Cathedra, in Saint Peter’s Basilica, in accordance with the following calendar and without the participation of the people”.
Palm Sunday and the Passion of the Lord
Therefore, it is communicated that Pope Francis will celebrate the rites of Holy Week in the Altar of the Chair, in St. Peter’s Basilica, according to the following calendar and without the participation of the people. The celebration of the Commemoration of the entry of the Lord into Jerusalem and Holy Mass, on Palm Sunday and the Passion of the Lord, will be on April 5, at 11 am.
Paschal Triduum
Regarding the Easter Triduum, the celebration of Holy Mass at the Lord’s Supper will take place on Holy Thursday, April 9, at 6:00 p.m. While on April 10, Good Friday, at 6:00 pm, the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord will take place. That same day, at 9:00 p.m., the Pontiff will preside over the Via Crucis in the parvis of Saint Peter’s Basilica. The Easter Vigil on Holy Night will be celebrated on Holy Saturday, April 11, at 9:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday and Blessing
Finally, the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff announced that the Holy Mass of the day, of Easter Sunday and of the Resurrection of the Lord will be celebrated on April 12, at 11 am. At the end of the Holy Mass the Holy Father will impart the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing.
Likewise, the Holy See has also decided that, until next April 12, the general audiences on Wednesdays and the prayers of the Angelus can only be seen live on the Internet portal Vatican News.
