Archbishop Vigneron to Celebrate Holy Week and Easter Liturgies

As the Lenten season draws to a close, Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron will celebrate the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter at Detroit’s Blessed Sacrament Cathedral. The public is invited to participate. The Cathedral is situated at 9844 Woodward Avenue, between Chicago Boulevard and the Davison.

Palm Sunday, April 1, at 11 a.m.: Archbishop Vigneron will bless palms and celebrate Mass. The liturgy recalls the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem at the beginning of His week of Passion.

Holy Thursday, April 5, at 11 a.m.: Archbishop Vigneron will celebrate the Chrism Mass. At this Mass, the archbishop will consecrate the Chrism and bless the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens. Chrism is used in baptism, confirmation and ordination. Also during this Mass, the priests of the Archdiocese of Detroit will publicly renew their commitment to priestly service.

Holy Thursday, April 5, at 7 p.m.: Archbishop Vigneron will celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. During this Mass, the archbishop will wash the feet of 12 parishioners, commemorating Christ washing the feet of His twelve apostles at the Last Supper.

Good Friday, April 6, at 1 p.m.: Archbishop Vigneron will begin the celebration of the Lord’s Passion. This service will include prayers, the Scriptural proclamation of Christ’s Passion, veneration of the cross, and Holy Communion.

Holy Saturday, April 7, at 9 p.m.: Archbishop Vigneron will preside at the Easter Vigil. This Mass includes the Blessing of the Fire, a ceremony in which the paschal candle is lit from a small fire outside the church. Also, those who have completed their preparation will be baptized and/or received into full communion with the Church through their confirmation and first Eucharist.

Easter Sunday, April 8, at 11 a.m.: Archbishop Vigneron will be the celebrant and homilist at Mass. This liturgy celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

In addition to liturgies at the cathedral, numerous Holy Week events are planned at parishes across the Archdiocese. For Lent and Holy Week resources, visit www.aod.org.

Note to editors/assignment desks: Reporters, photographers and videographers are invited to cover the cathedral liturgies, as well as events and activities at local parishes. Please call (313) 237-5943 to arrange coverage. If you are sending a reporter, photographer or camera crew, we respectfully ask that they dress appropriately for church attendance. We also ask that they not use flash bulbs or sun guns. Please heed any directions you may receive from church personnel at the cathedral or in our local parishes.