Holy Week and Easter in Archdiocese of Dublin
The Catholic and Church of Ireland Archbishops of Dublin will once again lead an ecumenical walk through the streets of the capital this Good Friday evening (March 29). It is among several hundred ceremonies taking place throughout the Archdiocese of Dublin this Holy Week and Easter.
The ecumenical walk was inaugurated by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and Archbishop Michael Jackson last year. They will once again begin with a prayer service in Christchurch Cathedral on Good Friday evening (7 pm) and then jointly carry the Cross from there through the city streets to Saint Mary’s, Pro Cathedral where there will be a Taizé prayer service around the Cross.
Earlier, on Good Friday Archbishop Martin will join the Communion and Liberation group and lead the Way of the Cross in the Phoenix Park. Hundreds of people join every year, praying and reflecting on the Stations of the Cross from the Wellington Monument (12 noon start) finishing at the Papal Cross. That afternoon, Archbishop Martin will lead the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion in Saint Mary’s Pro Cathedral with the boys and gentlemen of the Palestrina Choir.
Parishioners from the Clontarf parishes (Saint John the Baptist, Saint Anthony, Saint Gabriel) are putting on a play this week entitled ‘At the Praetorium’. It will be staged in Saint Brigid’s, Killester, tonight Tuesday, March 26, and in the Church of All Hallows College, on Wednesday, March 27 (8.00 pm). The play is an imaginative look at the events of Good Friday through the eyes of Pilate, his wife, his centurion, Barabbas, and the two thieves who were to be crucified with Jesus. The writer is Sean Walsh, former Head of Drama in RTE Radio.
Arklow and Blanchardstown are among many parishes in the Archdiocese who on Easter Saturday will have a ‘Blessing of the Baskets’ ceremony one of the most enduring and beloved Polish traditions (Tradycyjne Swiecenie).
As Easter Sunday (March 31) dawns several parishes are organising sunrise ceremonies – the parishioners of Clondalkin are gathering at 7am at the Blue Bridge Lake for Dawn Mass. On Killiney Hill at 7am the parishes of Dalkey and Killiney celebrate their annual Easter Sunday Ecumenical service. An Ecumenical ‘SonRise’ celebration in prayer word and music, with the Revival Gospel Choir to celebrate Easter Day takes place in Arklow. (Gathering on South Beach, Arklow at 6.30 a.m. and followed by a light breakfast in Arús Lorcain (Arklow Parish Centre).
ENDS
• A comprehensive list of liturgies and other events is available on www.dublindiocese.ie
• Further information; Annette O Donnell, 087 8143462
• Communications Office 01 -8360723 e mail [email protected] web www.dublindiocese.ie
