It’s hard to believe Lent is winding down and Palm Sunday is just around the corner.
In addition to liturgies at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist during Holy Week, Bishop Edward Malesic will celebrate the annual Chrism Mass at 5 p.m. March 31 at St. Sebastian Church, 476 Mull Ave., Akron. Doors will open at 4 p.m. for the livestreamed liturgy at which the sacred oils used for sacraments will be blessed. Priests of the diocese also renew their priestly promises during the Mass.
Bishop Malesic will celebrate the livestreamed 11 a.m. Mass on Palm Sunday, March 29, in the cathedral. During the liturgy, which recalls Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the bishop will bless palms that are distributed to the faithful.
Other Palm Sunday Masses will be celebrated at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28 (vigil Mass), and 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Palm Sunday. Confessions will be heard 9:30-11 a.m.
On March 30, March 31 and April 1, the regular daily Mass schedule will be followed: 7:15 a.m. and noon, with the midday Mass livestreamed. Confessions will be heard 6:30-7 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. those days, with an extra confessor available at midday.
Eucharistic devotions will take place as usual 12:30-5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, with confessions at 5 p.m. and vespers at 5:30 p.m.
The sacred paschal triduum at the cathedral begins on Holy Thursday, April 2. Morning prayer will be at 7:15 a.m., with confessions 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bishop Malesic will celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper (livestreamed), including the washing of feet, at 7 p.m., followed by adoration until 11 p.m. Night prayer will be at 10:45 p.m.
On Good Friday, April 3, there will be morning prayer at 7:15 a.m. followed by confession from 7:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stations of the Cross will be prayed at noon and Bishop Malesic will celebrate the Passion of the Lord at 3 p.m. That liturgy will be livestreamed. Confessions will be heard 4:20-5 p.m. on Good Friday, after the Passion liturgy concludes.
On Holy Saturday, April 4, confessions will be heard 7:45-11 a.m. The blessing of the food will take place at 11:15 a.m. Bishop Malesic will celebrate the Easter vigil at 8:45 p.m. That liturgy will be livestreamed. During the Easter vigil, catechumens and candidates (those who are entering the Church through baptism and those entering into full communion with the Church) will receive the sacraments of initiation: baptism (if unbaptized), first Communion and confirmation. The paschal candle will be blessed and Jesus’ Resurrection will be celebrated at the solemn liturgy.
Masses on Easter, April 5, will be at 8:30 and 11 a.m. There will be no 5:30 p.m. Mass on Easter. Bishop Malesic will celebrate the 11 a.m. Mass, which will be livestreamed.
The normal cathedral schedule resumes on April 6.
The faithful – Catholic or not – are invited to participate in the Holy Night Hike after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. The event allows people to visit and pray at seven churches within walking distance on Cleveland’s West Side. The following churches will be open 8-11 p.m. for the hike:
- St. John Cantius, 906 College Ave.
- St. Wendelin, 2281 Columbus Road
- St. Emeric, 1860 W. 22nd St.
- St. Malachi, 2459 Washington Ave.
- St. Augustine, 2486 W. 14th St.
- St. Andrew Kim, 2310 W. 14th St.
- St. Patrick, 3602 Bridge Ave.
Young adults especially are encouraged to walk individually, in groups or to drive to any or all of the churches that night to pray.
In addition, Saint Ignatius High School's St. Mary of the Assumption Chapel, will be open for adoration.
Those participating in the Holy Night Hike are invited to follow our hashtag and post their photos at #HolyNightHike on social media.
