Holy Week and Easter 2020 ceremonies broadcast across Ireland and in the Vatican 

05 Apr 2020

  • Special Holy Week series of faith podcast Faithcast #HolyWeekAtHome

The high point of the Christian calendar, Holy Week, starts today on Palm Sunday, and concludes on Holy Saturday.  During Holy Week the Church celebrates the mysteries of salvation accomplished by Christ during His last days of life on earth, beginning with His messianic entrance into Jerusalem. The Lenten season lasts until Holy Thursday this week, and the Easter Triduum begins with evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.

This year’s Holy Week and Easter will be observed under very different circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic.  To facilitate the faithful participating from home in a “spiritual communion” with Christ, a web feature is now available on www.catholicbishops.ie hosting details of:

  • Pope Francis’ schedule for Holy Week and the Easter Triduum 
  • Webcam links to parish churches and diocesan cathedrals across Ireland
  • Mass readings for Holy Week and Easter 2020 
  • Bishops’ homilies and messages for Holy Week and Easter
  • Special Holy Week series of daily reflections on the Bishops’ faith podcast Faithcast
  • Prayers, and additional resources to creatively mark Holy Week at home

This year the liturgical celebrations of Pope Francis from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday will take place in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, without the presence of the faithful.  The Holy Father will celebrate Easter Sunday Mass in the basilica and conclude with the Urbi et Orbi message and blessing.

Details of Easter services on terrestrial television and radio will also be available on catholicbishops.ie. RTÉ will broadcast Mass live from the Cathedral of Christ the King in Mullingar on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, to be celebrated by Bishop Tom Deenihan, Father Joe Campbell, and Father Derek Darby.

Notes to Editors

  • Please see www.catholicbishops.ie/2020/04/02/holy-week-and-easter-2020/ for the full Holy Week and Easter feature.  Join in on social media using the hashtags #LivingHolyWeek and #HolyWeekAtHome to connect with others and share how you are living Holy Week 2020. 
  • Faithcast has a special series of faith podcasts for each day of Holy Week focusing on how we live as people of faith in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.  Contributors include Archbishop Eamon Martin, Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop Monahan, Caoimhe de Barra, Brenda Drumm, Brother Richard Hendrick and Father Vincent Sherlock.  See www.catholicbishops.ie                                                       

For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long +353 (0) 86 172 7678