As we enter Holy Week, it is a time to pause and reflect on the deeper meaning of each day and what they represent in the Catholic tradition. Before looking ahead to Easter, we are invited to look back, embracing the changes we made throughout the Lenten season and how they brought us closer to our faith. From Ash Wednesday onward, we have been preparing for this moment. Now, it is time to harvest the spiritual fruits of our effort, time, and devotion.
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It brings color and life to the solemn journey of Lent as the altar is adorned with palms and greenery is handed to the congregation. The green of the palms becomes a symbol of strength and hope, the fulfillment of the Messiah’s prophecy. There is a poignant tension in this celebration, joy at Christ’s arrival and sorrow in anticipation of his crucifixion. If you missed the 10:00 am Mass, we invite you to watch the livestream on our YouTube channel. The altar’s beauty, the narrative of the Passion, and the music filled the Shrine with reverence. The Arch Street Band gave an unforgettable performance. Pieter’s drum work powerfully carried the emotion of the moment, and the vocal solo at the end of Mass filled the space with grace and hope.
Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday, commemorates the Last Supper. This is the origin of many sacred rituals we practice at every Mass and it is a night of profound remembrance. Christ washed the feet of his apostles and gave them the commandment to love one another. Many will recall Leonardo da Vinci’s painting The Last Supper, which attempts to capture the weight of that moment, a sacred dinner where betrayal and sacrifice intertwined with grace and divine purpose. We will celebrate this day with a 5:15 pm Mass at the Shrine.
Good Friday marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is observed as a day of fasting, prayer, and reflection. At the Shrine, we invite you to join us for three special observances. At noon, the Dramatic Stations of the Cross offer a creative retelling of Jesus’ final journey, using music and narration to help us reflect more deeply. At 12:45 pm, the Traditional Stations of the Cross on the 1st floor provide a quieter, prayerful walk through the 14 moments of Christ’s Passion. At 3:00 pm, the Good Friday Service with Communion honors the death of Jesus with scripture readings, veneration of the cross, and Holy Communion.
Many abstain from eating meat on this day as a form of penance and remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice. It is also a meaningful day to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Holy Saturday is the in between, the silent passage from sorrow to joy, from death to resurrection. It is a time to sit with the absence of Christ, to wait in faith for the light to return. It is the sacred moment of transition when grief meets hope and the world prepares for renewal. Join us for our Easter Vigil Mass at 8:00 pm, the most beautiful liturgy of the year, filled with candles, readings, and song.
Easter Sunday marks the moment we have been waiting for the celebration of the Resurrection. Hope is reborn. Light returns. Christ is risen. You can feel it in the people, the joy, and the beauty of the church itself.
As seen in this photo, we take a moment to appreciate the stunning Easter decorations from 2023, done by Joanne Hidaka, whose work helped bring the spirit of Resurrection to life.
We will celebrate Easter Sunday with morning Masses and the Blessing of the Runners, a cherished tradition on Marathon Sunday in Boston. As the city comes alive with joy and movement, we gather in gratitude for new beginnings.
