Bishop Walkowiak to Celebrate Holy Week Liturgies at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew

All liturgies, except the Easter Vigil, will be livestreamed

As the Lenten season comes to a close, Most Reverend David Walkowiak, bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, will celebrate the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. The public is invited to participate in the liturgies.

• Sunday, April 10, at 10 a.m., Bishop Walkowiak will celebrate Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem where he was welcomed by crowds worshiping him and laying down palms before him.

• Tuesday, April 12, at 7 p.m., Bishop Walkowiak will celebrate chrism Mass. At this Mass, the bishop consecrates the holy chrism and blesses the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens. Chrism is used throughout the year in the celebration of the sacraments of baptism and confirmation, and at the ordination Masses celebrated at the cathedral. During this Mass, the priests of the Diocese of Grand Rapids also publicly renew their commitment to serve. This is a ticketed Mass and is not open to the public.

• Holy Thursday, April 14, at 7 p.m., Bishop Walkowiak will celebrate Holy Thursday of the Lord’s Supper. During this Mass, the bishop will commemorate Christ’s washing the feet of his twelve apostles at the Last Supper by washing the feet of members of the parish. This ritual returns after a two-year hiatus.

• Good Friday, April 15, at 3 p.m., Bishop Walkowiak will begin the celebration of the Lord’s Passion, the time of suffering leading up to and including Christ’s death on the cross. This liturgy includes prayers, the Scriptural proclamation of Christ’s Passion and veneration of the cross.

• Holy Saturday, April 16, at 9 p.m., Bishop Walkowiak will preside at the Easter Vigil. 311 individuals will be joining the Catholic Church in West Michigan at this Mass within their respective parish communities.

• Easter, April 17, at 10 a.m., Bishop Walkowiak will celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord. Easter is the principal feast of the Catholic Church year; the cornerstone upon which our faith is built and the oldest feast of the Christian Church.

Livestreams of all liturgies, except the Easter Vigil, will be available on the Diocese of Grand Rapids website, grdiocese.org and the diocesan Facebook page (Diocese of Grand Rapids).

Mass on Palm Sunday and Easter will be televised live at 10 a.m. on FOX 17. The Good Friday liturgy at 3 p.m. on April 15 will also be televised live on FOX 17.

The Diocese of Grand Rapids serves over 175,114 Catholics, 80 parishes and 31 schools in an 11-county area of West Michigan. For additional information visit our website grdiocese.org. Connect with the diocese on Facebook (Diocese of Grand Rapids), Twitter (@GRDiocese), and Instagram (@GRDiocese).

Courtesy photo.