Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, April 2, and will conclude on Easter, April 9. Liturgical celebrations will take place throughout the week at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 1007 Superior Ave., in downtown Cleveland.
The liturgies listed below will be livestreamed on the diocesan website.
Bishop Edward Malesic will celebrate the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Palm Sunday, April 2. This Mass commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Palms will be distributed and blessed during the liturgy.
The annual Chrism Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m. on April 4. At this Mass, Bishop Malesic will bless the oil of the catechumens and the oil of the sick as well as consecrating the oil of the sacred chrism. These holy oils are used throughout the diocese during the coming year in the celebration of the sacraments. Bishop Malesic will be the celebrant and homilist at this liturgy
The Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated at 7 p.m. on Holy Thursday, April 6, with Bishop Malesic as the celebrant and homilist. This Mass commemorates the Last Supper, during which Christ instituted the sacrament of the holy Eucharist, the sacrament of holy orders (priesthood) and gave us his commandment to love one another.
The cathedral will remain open until 11 p.m. for prayer and adoration. Night Prayer will be at 10:45 p.m.
Bishop Malesic will be the celebrant and homilist for the Passion of the Lord at 3 p.m. on Good Friday, April 7. This solemn liturgy commemorates the Passion and death of Jesus Christ. The traditional adoration of the cross will take place during the liturgy.
The Easter Vigil will be celebrated at 8:45 p.m. on Holy Saturday, April 8. This liturgy consists of four components: the service of light, liturgy of the Word, liturgy of baptism and liturgy of the Eucharist. Bishop Malesic will be the celebrant and homilist.
After a reflective and intense period of prayer during Lent, the elect – those who have not been baptized – and the candidates – those who will make a profession of faith in the Catholic Church and will receive the sacraments of confirmation and Eucharist – will become full members of the Catholic Church. These sacraments of initiation also are celebrated at parishes throughout the diocese on that night.
Bishop Malesic also will be the celebrant and homilist at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Easter, April 9, to commemorate Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead. Other Masses on Easter will be at 8 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. There will be no 5:30 p.m. Mass on Easter.
In addition to these liturgies, Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 5:15 p.m. on March 31 – and livestreamed -- and again at noon on Good Friday, April 7.
Confessions will be available in the cathedral 6:30-7 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 3-5; 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 6; 7:45-11:30 a.m., 1-2 p.m. and 4:20-5 p.m. April 7; and 7:45-11:30 a.m. April 8. Blessing of the food will be at 11:15 a.m. April 8. Extra confessors will be available at midday April 3-5.
Weekday Mass will be celebrated at 7:15 a.m. and noon April 3-6. The daily noon Mass is livestreamed.
Blessing of the food will take place at 11:15 a.m. on Holy Saturday, April 16.
The normal daily Mass schedule will resume at 7:15 a.m. and noon on Easter Monday, April 10.
The Diocese of Cleveland also broadcasts a TV Mass for those unable to attend Mass at a parish because of short-term or long-term health reasons. The broadcast is at 10 a.m. Sundays on WUAB Channel 43 (the CW). Bishop Malesic will be the celebrant for the (taped) Mass on Easter, April 9. Cox Cable subscribers can view the Mass at 11:30 a.m. Sundays on Channel 45. In addition, two radio stations, WINT 1330 AM airs Mass each week at 9 a.m. on Sunday and WCCR 1260 AM The Rock, airs Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays.