Archdiocese of Newark
Announces Holy Week Schedule
On Sunday, April 13, the Archdiocese of Newark will join the Universal Church as Catholics and other Christians enter the most sacred week of the year, beginning with Palm Sunday and culminating in the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday.
2025 Holy Week Schedule
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, will preside over Holy Week liturgies at Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart as follows:
April 13 | Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Cardinal Tobin will preside at the noon Palm Sunday Mass. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphant arrival in Jerusalem. During Mass, Catholics will hear the gospel account of the Passion and Crucifixion of Christ. Blessed palm fronds representing the palm branches the crowds scattered in front of Jesus as he rode into the city will be distributed.
April 14 | Chrism Mass | Mass of the Holy Oils
Cardinal Tobin will preside at the 8 p.m. Chrism Mass. Catholics will witness the blessing of the Chrism, a mixture of oil and balsam, or balm, used in archdiocesan parishes throughout the coming year for the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, the anointing of the sick and to anoint newly ordained priests and deacons. Chrism also is used to bless altars and churches. At the conclusion of the Chrism Mass, representatives from each parish receive the newly blessed oils in the name of their communities. The Mass, celebrated annually in every diocese of the Universal Church, also calls on all clergy of the Archdiocese present to renew their promises of ordination. This Mass welcomes all those who share in church ministries, including those in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), baptism and confirmation programs.
April 17 | Holy Thursday | Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Cardinal Tobin will preside at the bilingual 7:30 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which commemorates Christ’s washing of the feet and the Eucharist’s institution during the Last Supper. During this Mass, in imitation of Jesus’ humility and actions at the Last Supper, Cardinal Tobin will wash the feet of representatives of the Cathedral Basilica’s parish community. After Mass, the Cathedral Basilica’s sanctuary will be stripped of all décor, and the crucifix will be covered by purple cloth in preparation for the solemn Good Friday liturgy.
April 18 | Good Friday | Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion
Cardinal Tobin will preside at the 3 p.m. Good Friday Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion to commemorate Christ’s suffering and death through prayer, silence and Adoration of the Cross. A Spanish-language liturgy will then commence at 5 p.m., followed by a choral adaptation of the Stations of the Cross performed by the Cathedral Choir at 8 p.m.
April 19 | Holy Saturday | Easter Vigil
Cardinal Tobin will celebrate the bilingual Easter Vigil Mass beginning at 8:30 p.m. The Easter Vigil, which begins after nightfall, is the first and most important celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection. At this liturgy, Catholics will celebrate the festival of light, symbolizing the Light of the Resurrection seen in the new fire, the Easter or Paschal candle lit within a darkened cathedral. The “Alleluia” will be praised for the first time since the start of Lent. New members of the Catholic Church — the OCIA catechumens — also will be welcomed into the faith at this Mass and will receive the sacraments of baptism, Eucharist and confirmation.
April 20 | Easter Sunday | Resurrection of Our Lord
Cardinal Tobin will celebrate the 10 a.m. Easter Sunday Mass in Spanish. This Mass adheres closely to the traditional liturgical format, so it does not include the solemn ceremonies featured in the Easter Vigil. However, each liturgy commemorates the miracle of Christ’s Resurrection. Therefore, Catholics are not obligated to attend both.
All Holy Week liturgies will be livestreamed through the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart’s YouTube channel. For more information, visit newarkbasilica.org/holyweek.