As the Lenten season draws to a close, Cardinal Adam Maida, archbishop of Detroit, will celebrate the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter at Detroit's Blessed Sacrament Cathedral. The public is invited to participate. Blessed Sacrament Cathedral is located at 9844 Woodward Avenue, between Grand Boulevard and Davison.

 

On Holy Thursday, March20, at 11 a.m.,  Cardinal Maida will celebrate the Chrism Mass. At this Mass, the cardinal will consecrate the Chrism and bless the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of the Catechumens. Chrism is used in baptism, confirmation and ordination. During this Mass, the priests of the Archdiocese of Detroit will make a public renewal of their commitment to priestly service." 

 

On Holy Thursday, March 20, at 7 p.m., Cardinal Maida will celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper. During this Mass, Cardinal Maida will wash the feet of twelve parishioners. This washing commemorates Christ washing the feet of His twelve apostles at the Last Supper.

 

On Good Friday, March 21, at 1 p.m., Cardinal Maida will begin the celebration of the Lord's Passion. This service will include prayers, the proclamation of the Passion, veneration of the cross, and Holy Communion.

 

On Holy Saturday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m., Cardinal Maida will preside at the Easter Vigil. These rites include the Blessing of the Fire, a ceremony in which the Paschal Candle is lit from a small fire in the darkened church. At the Easter Vigil, those who have completed their preparation will be baptized and/or received into full communion with the Church through their Confirmation and First Eucharist.

 

On Easter Sunday, March 23, at 11 a.m., Cardinal Maida will be the celebrant and homilist at Mass. This liturgy celebrates the resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the dead.

 

In addition to the liturgies at the cathedral, numerous Easter events are planned at parishes across the Archdiocese of Detroit. A partial listing of these activities can be found on the web at www.AODonline.org.

 

Reporters, photographers and videographers are invited to cover the cathedral liturgies, as well as the parish events and activities. We ask, however, that you abide by any instructions you may receive from Church personnel at the cathedral or in our local parishes.