Holy Week Masses Planned At Holy Name Cathedral, In-Person, Live Streamed And Pre-Recorded

CHICAGO—Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, will observe Holy Week with liturgical celebrations at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St., Chicago.

Holy Week is the last week of Lent, immediately preceding Easter Sunday. Observed by Catholics as a time to commemorate the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, various special liturgies are celebrated during the Paschal Triduum, the three days before Easter.

Live, in-person Holy Week masses with Cardinal Cupich at Holy Name Cathedral:

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion Mass, March 29

Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, which celebrates the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem days before He died. During this observance, the Church celebrates the beginning of Jesus’ passage from life to death to new life. In accordance with the Gospel, the faithful hold palms during Mass in homage to Jesus’ followers covering His path in palm fronds on the day He entered Jerusalem.

Mass begins at 12:30 p.m. outside Holy Name Cathedral, in its courtyard, with the blessing of palms and then a procession into the cathedral. Cardinal Cupich will preside and offer the homily.

LIVESTREAM LINK: Palm Sunday The Passion of The Lord Catholic Chicago

Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper, April 2

Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, when He established the sacrament of Holy Communion before His arrest and crucifixion. Cardinal Cupich will celebrate the Mass of The Lord's Supper, starting at 5:15 p.m. followed by Eucharistic processions.

Cardinal Cupich will welcome 12 people from various walks of life and experiences—first responders, police, fire and medical professionals in uniform—to participate in the washing of the feet ritual with Cardinal Cupich. The symbolic act of feet washing imitates the example of Jesus at the Last Supper, who washed the feet of the 12 disciples as a gesture of His servitude, humility and love to all and the invitation to do for others as he did for them.

There will be evening adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until midnight, with a night prayer beginning at 11:45 p.m. Cardinal Cupich will preside. Rev. Andy Matijevic, associate pastor and director of worship of Holy Name Cathedral, will offer the homily.

LIVESTREAM LINK: Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper Catholic Chicago

Good Friday Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion, April 3

The Liturgy of the Word of the Lord's Passion is not a Mass but rather a liturgy of the word with a reading of the Passion, veneration of the cross, and reception of Holy Communion starting at 5:15 p.m. The Eucharist received on Good Friday was consecrated at the Holy Thursday liturgy. Cardinal Cupich will preside. Rev. Patrick Gorman, resident priest of Holy Name Cathedral, will offer the homily.

LIVESTREAM LINK: Good Friday Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion Catholic Chicago

The Great Vigil of Easter, April 4

Easter Vigil is held on the evening before Easter and is the first official celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. This is a three-hour liturgy.

The service begins outside Holy Name Cathedral at 8 p.m., in its courtyard, where the Easter fire is lit to symbolize the Light of Christ. From the fire, the Paschal Candle will be lit, which will be burned throughout the entire Easter season. Cardinal Cupich will lead a solemn procession into the Cathedral in darkness with the procession concluding with the entire congregation lighting their own small candles, followed by the Exsultet, or Easter proclamation. During this service, the Church welcomes new members with the sacraments of Baptism and First Communion and Confirmation.

This year, Holy Name Cathedral will baptize 16 adults, and confirm an additional 24 adults.

The Archdiocese of Chicago is experiencing a significant increase in the number of people seeking to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, mirroring a trend that has been noted in dioceses across the United States. Overall, 1,059 catechumens and candidates are expected to enter the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Chicago, up from 696 in 2025, a 52% increase. Cardinal Cupich will preside and offer the homily.

LIVESTREAM LINK: The Great Easter Vigil Catholic Chicago

Pre-recorded Palm Sunday Masses in English, Spanish and Polish are listed below:

• Pre-recorded Palm Sunday Mass, March 29, with Cardinal Cupich will air at 9:30 a.m. on WLS/ABC7.

• Pre-recorded Palm Sunday Mass will air in Spanish on La Hora Católica: Misa y Más from the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe of the Archdiocese of Chicago at 9 a.m. on WGBO/Univision Chicago. The main celebrant is Rev. Jesus Puente, associate rector of the shrine.

• Prerecorded Palm Sunday Mass will air in Polish on the archdiocese’s Catholic Chicago YouTube Channel from St. Francis Borgia in Chicago at 4 p.m. airing on Saturday. The main celebrant is Rev. Marek Smolka, pastor of St. Francis Borgia.

Pre-recorded Easter Sunday Masses in English, Spanish and Polish:

• Pre-recorded Easter Sunday Mass, April 5, with Cardinal Cupich will air on WLS/ABC7 from 9 to 10 a.m.

• Pre-recorded Easter Mass will air in Spanish on La Hora Católica: Misa y Más from the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe of the Archdiocese of Chicago at 9 a.m. on WGBO/Univision Chicago. The main celebrant is Very Rev. Esequiel Sanchez, rector of the Shrine.

• Prerecorded Easter Mass will air online in Polish on the archdiocese’s Catholic Chicago YouTube Channel from St. Francis Borgia Parish at 6 a.m. The main celebrant is Rev. Marek Smolka, pastor of St. Francis Borgia Parish.

For the faithful to have access to the grace and comfort of Holy Mass, all the services and Masses will be available on the archdiocese’s Catholic Chicago YouTube channel and the archdiocese’s Facebook page.