The summit of the liturgical year in the Catholic Church is the Easter triduum, which runs from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. Although three days chronologically, the triduum is one day liturgically, as it unfolds the unity of Christ?s paschal mystery from the Last Supper through his Passion, death and resurrection.
Bishop Nelson Perez will celebrate the Mass of the Lord?s Supper at 7 p.m. on Holy Thursday, March 29, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. The liturgy includes washing of the feet and stripping of the altar. It also commemorates the establishment of the priesthood.
At noon on Good Friday, March 30, the bishop will participate in a Good Friday procession from St. Michael the Archangel Church, 3114 Scranton Ave., Cleveland, to St. Colman Church, 2027 W. 65th St., Cleveland.
At 3 p.m. on Good Friday at St. John Cathedral, Bishop Perez will be the celebrant and homilist at the Passion of the Lord.
He also will be the celebrant for the Easter Vigil at 8:30 p.m. on Holy Saturday, March 31, at the cathedral. The Easter Vigil contains four components: service of light (blessing of the fire and lighting of the paschal candle), Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of Baptism and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
During the liturgy, the elect (those who have not been baptized) and candidates (those who will make a profession of faith in the Catholic Church and receive the sacraments of confirmation and Eucharist) will become full members of the Catholic Church. These sacraments of initiation are celebrated at parishes throughout the diocese on this night.
The most joyous celebration in the Catholic Church, the resurrection of the Lord, will be commemorated during Masses on Easter Sunday, April 1. Bishop Perez will be the celebrant and homilist at the 10:30 a.m. Mass that day at the cathedral.
Click HERE for a complete listing of Holy Week liturgies at the cathedral.
