The Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican is decorated with lighted candles in this CNS file photo. In a March 27, 2020, statement, the Vatican said that all Holy Week celebrations will be celebrated at the Altar of the Chair “without the participation of the people,” due to the coronavirus pandemic. (CNS photo/Junno Arocho Esteves)
By Junno Arocho Esteves
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY — With public gatherings, including Masses, banned in Italy to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the Vatican published an updated version of Pope Francis’ schedule for Holy Week and Easter.
In a March 27 statement, the Vatican said that all Holy Week celebrations will be celebrated at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica “without the participation of the people.”
The Vatican also said the release of the updated schedule takes into account the provisions made by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.
Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the congregation, said in a decree dated March 20 that because the chrism Mass is not formally part of the Triduum, a bishop can decide to postpone its celebration.
For the first time, the pope’s schedule for Holy Week does not include the chrism Mass, which is usually celebrated the morning of Holy Thursday. During the liturgy, priests renew their promises and the oils used for the sacraments are blessed.
This year also will be the first time Pope Francis will celebrate the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper in the Vatican instead of at a prison, hospital or other institution. The Congregation for Divine Worship said that “the washing of feet, which is already optional, is to be omitted” when there are no faithful present.
The congregation also said that bishops should advise the faithful of the times for the celebrations, so that they can pray at home at the same time.
Here is the updated schedule of papal liturgical ceremonies for Holy Week and Easter released by the Vatican (times listed are local):
- April 5, Palm Sunday, 11 a.m.
- April 9, Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord’s Supper 6 p.m.
- April 10, Good Friday, 6 p.m. liturgy of the Lord’s passion.
- April 10, Way of the Cross, 9 p.m., in front of St. Peter’s Basilica.
- April 11, Easter vigil Mass, 9 p.m.
- April 12, Easter morning Mass, 11 a.m. followed by the pope’s blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world).
