Holy Week
During Holy Week, Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Washington participate in sacred liturgies remembering the death of Christ and celebrating His resurrection on Easter Sunday. This year, Holy Week liturgies will be streamed online on the Archdiocese of Washington’s YouTube channel.
March 29 | Palm Sunday
March 30 | Chrism Mass (2:00 pm Mass at the Cathedral)
April 1 | Liturgy of Tenebrae
April 2 | Holy Thursday
April 3 | Good Friday (1:00 pm Mass at the Cathedral)
April 4 | Easter Vigil (8:00 pm Mass at the Cathedral)
April 5 | Easter Sunday
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington Office of Deaf and Disabilities Ministry offers a Holy Week and Easter schedule for Masses and Liturgies with American Sign Language Interpretation (Coming Soon!). Local parishes may also provide ASL interpretation; please contact a local ADW parish of your choosing for more information on what services are available.
Find a parish to visit near you Visit the ADW YouTube Channel
Follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #ADWholyweek!
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. People filled the streets to watch Jesus ride into the city on a donkey, and threw palms at his feet to celebrate his arrival. They hailed Jesus as a King, but did not know his crown would be of thorns and his Kingdom in heaven.
- Palm Sunday Mass March 29
- Guide to celebrating Palm Sunday through scripture, reflection, prayer and activities: English | Spanish
Wednesday of Holy Week
Wednesday of Holy Week is the final day of Lent, and a day to prepare ourselves to walk with Jesus through the Triduum, the three holiest days of the year. We recall on this day that Judas made a secret plan to hand Jesus over for 30 pieces of silver.
- Liturgy of Tenebrae April 1
- Guide to celebrating Wednesday of Holy Week through scripture, reflection, prayer and activities: English | Spanish
- Join us at one of our participating parishes for the ancient, time-honored Liturgy of Tenebrae. Please contact your local parish to confirm a Liturgy of Tenebrae service will be held.
Holy Thursday
Holy Thursday is the day Jesus gathered with his disciples before he died to wash their feet and institute the Eucharist at the Last Supper. Holy Thursday is the first day of the Triduum.
- Holy Thursday April 2
- Guide to praying during the Triduum: English | Spanish
- Guide to celebrating Holy Thursday through scripture, reflection, prayer, and activities: English | Spanish
Good Friday
Good Friday commemorates the Passion of Christ. On this day, Jesus was denied by his friends and handed over to die. We honor Christ’s death with prayer and silence. Today is called ‘good’ because we know this is not the end of the story.
- Good Friday April 3
- Guide to praying during the Triduum: English | Spanish
- Guide to celebrating Good Friday through scripture, reflection, prayer, and activities: English | Spanish
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday is a day of waiting. After Jesus died on Friday, the disciples were scared and went to hide in an Upper Room together, for fear of death. We wait with the Apostles in the Upper Room, as the body of Jesus lies in the tomb. Today is a day for silence and prayer as we wait for Jesus to return to us.
- Easter Vigil April 4
- Guide to praying during the Triduum: English | Spanish
- Guide to celebrating Holy Saturday through scripture, reflection, prayer and activities: English | Spanish
- Christ, the Light of the World!
Easter Sunday
Today, we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord and his victory over sin and death! After a long season of Lent, we celebrate that Christ is alive. The Resurrection of Jesus gives us hope for our own share in His Resurrection at the end of our life. Christ is Risen, Alleluia, Alleluia!
- Easter Sunday April 5
- Guide to praying during the Triduum: English | Spanish
- Guide to celebrating Easter through scripture, reflection, prayer, and activities: English | Spanish