During Holy Week, the Church celebrates the mysteries of salvation accomplished by Christ in the last days of his life on earth, beginning with his messianic entrance into Jerusalem. The Lenten season lasts until the Thursday of this week. The Easter Triduum begins with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.
We hope the following information and resources will assist the faithful with their observance of Holy Week and Easter 2022. Do join in on social media using the hashtag #LivingHolyWeek to connect with others and share how you are living Holy Week this year.
The following resources are included below:
- Mass Readings for Holy Week and Easter
- Details of Pope Francis’ schedule for Holy Week and the Easter Triduum
- Bishops’ Homilies and Messages for Holy Week and Easter
- Details of services in dioceses
- Details of Easter Services on Television and Radio
- Prayers
Readings for Holy Week and Easter 2022
All daily Mass readings are available on www.catholicbishops.ie/readings
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
Monday in Holy Week 11 April 2022
Is 42: 1-7. Ps 26:1-3, 13-14, R/ v 1. Jn 12:1-11.
Our attention is now focused on the great mystery of Christ, dying and rising. The sense of impending doom hovers over the actions of Jesus. Like a lamb led to the slaughter, Christ does not cry out or shout aloud. Mary’s anointing becomes one of preparation of the body for burial after death. All things are being readied for the final hour. The chrism is prepared for blessing by the bishop this week: it will be used to sign new Christians with the Cross, to seal them for Christ.
Tuesday in Holy Week 12 April 2022
Is 49:1-6. Ps 70:1-6, 15, 17, R/ v 15. Jn 13:21-33, 36-38.
The words of Isaiah speak beautifully of our vocation in Christ. Chosen before birth, given great gifts of body and mind, called to be servant of the Most High, and destined to be a light of the nations so that Christ’s salvation may be brought to the ends of the earth. Such is our destiny. And yet, we can fail. We can reject this calling, give way to weakness. Both Judas and Peter in their weakness are put before us today, one to betray, the other to deny. So close to Jesus and yet capable of losing him.
Wednesday in Holy Week 13 April 2022
Is 50: 4-9. Ps 68:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34, R/ v 14. Mt 26:14-25.
Spy Wednesday we call it – for Judas has left his mark on our calendars. The pain of his betrayal is to be felt in the account of Saint Matthew’s Gospel. And thirty pieces of silver goes into language currency ever since. At the end of this lent, which has seen us trying to purify ourselves of all that is not Christian, these thirty pieces of silver come before us as a warning.
Holy Thursday 14 April 2022
Morning: Is 61:1-3, 6, 8-9. Ps 88:21-22, 25, 27, R/ v2. Apoc 1:5-8, Lk 4:16-21.
The Easter Triduum
Christ redeemed us all and gave perfect glory to God principally through his paschal mystery: dying he destroyed our death and rising he restored our life. Therefore the Easter Triduum of the Passion and Resurrection of Christ is the culmination of the entire liturgical year. The celebration of the paschal mystery is not simply a recalling of past events in history. It is a sacramental celebration that renders present and actualises the saving power of Christ’s death and Resurrection to the Church.
Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Ex 12:1-8, 11-14. Ps 115:12-13, 15-18, R/ cf. 1 Cor 10:16. Jn 13:1-15.
The Scripture readings this evening direct our minds at the opening of the great Paschal celebration to the meaning of what we celebrate. We are entering into this mystery in such a way that when we break bread and share this cup that we once more proclaim the death of the Lord. With this Mass of the Lord’s Supper the Church begins the sacred Easter Triduum and devotes itself to the remembrance of the Last Supper.
Good Friday 15 April 2022 Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
Is 52:13-53:12, Ps 30:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25, R/ Lk 23:46. Heb 4:14-16, 5:7-9. Jn 18:1-19:42.
Saint John’s account of the Passion is more reflective and theological. He emphasises Jesus’ obedience to the Father’s will. The kingship of Jesus is asserted: the crucifixion is a victory, the hour of death is also the hour triumph. ‘Christ gives his life, he is “lifted up” on the Cross, but willingly’.
In contemplating the Cross of its Lord, the Church commemorates its own origin and its mission to extend to all peoples the blessed effects of Christ’s Passion that it celebrates on this day in a spirit of thanksgiving for his marvellous gift.
In the Universal Prayer, Bishops will arrange to have a special intention prepared for those who find themselves in distress, the sick, the dead, (cf. Missale Romanum).
Holy Saturday 16 April 2022 Easter Vigil
In accord with ancient tradition, this night is one of vigil for the Lord. Saint Augustine called it ‘the mother of all vigils’. The Gospel of Saint Luke reminds the faithful to have their lamps burning ready, awaiting their master’s return, so that when he arrives he will find them wide awake and will seat them at his table.
There are several different elements to the Easter Vigil: The Service of Light, the Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of Baptism and Liturgy of the Eucharist.
The new fire is blessed outside the church, and its flames should be such that they dispel the darkness and light up the night. All present hold candles to which the light of the new Paschal Candle is gradually passed. The Liturgy of the Word follows with readings from sacred scripture. This year, for the “Baptismal Liturgy” only the “Renewal of Baptismal Promises” is maintained (cf. Missale Romanum). The celebration of the Eucharist which follows is in the fullest sense the Easter Sacrament, the commemoration of the sacrifice of the Cross and the presence of the Risen Christ.
Easter Sunday 17 April 2022 – Easter Day of the Lord’s Resurrection
Acts 10:34, 37-43. Ps 117:1-2, 16-17, 22-23, R/ v 24. Col 3:104 or 1 Cor 5:6-8. Jn 20:1-9.
‘Christ is risen, alleluia!’ This is the ancient Christian greeting on this day of great joy and happiness for all. Easter is not simply one feast among others, but the “Feast of feasts”. The mystery of the Resurrection, in which Christ crushed death, permeates with its powerful energy our old time, until all is subjected to him. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1169)
The Easter Season
The celebration of Easter is prolonged throughout the Easter season. The fifty days from Easter Sunday to pentecost Sunday are celebrated as one feast day, ‘the great Sunday’.
This sacred period concludes with Pentecost Sunday when the gift of the Holy Spirit to the apostles, the beginnings of the Church, and the start of its mission to all tongues and peoples and nations are commemorated.
Schedule of Pope Francis for Holy Week and Easter 2022
Holy Week, which is the culmination of the 40-day Lenten period, is the most solemn period for Christians worldwide, who celebrate the solemn mysteries of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection.
The Vatican has published the Pope’s schedule for Holy Week and Easter, confirming that he will preside over large liturgical celebrations in St. Peter’s Square for the first time since 2019.
On Palm Sunday, Pope Francis will offer Mass in Saint Peter’s Square on 10 April 10am local time. In the past two years, papal liturgies during Holy Week were kept very small due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with many events and liturgies moved inside Saint Peter’s Basilica with extremely limited attendance. Palm Sunday will see a full Saint Peter’s Square for the Mass and procession.
The Vatican schedule for 2022 does not list the Pope’s participation in the Vatican’s Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper. In previous years, Pope Francis has chosen to visit a local prison to offer the Mass there instead.
The Holy Father will preside over the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday at 9.30am in Saint Peter’s Basilica.
On Good Friday, he will preside over the liturgy for the Passion of the Lord in Saint Peter’s Basilica at 5.00pm, before heading to Rome’s Colosseum to lead the Stations of the Cross beginning at 9.00pm.
Pope Francis will offer the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday 16 April in Saint Peter’s Basilica at 7.30pm. He will also celebrate the Easter Sunday Mass in Saint Peter’s Square at 10.00am, after which he will offer the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing.
Messages and Homilies for Holy Week and Easter 2022
14 April: Homily of Archbishop Eamon Martin for Chrism Mass 2022 in the Diocese of Dromore
14 April: Homily of Bishop Michael Router for Chrism Mass in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh
14 April: Homily of Archbishop Dermot Farrell for the Mass of Chrism in Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Dublin
14 April: Priests are at the frontline caring for the sick, the bereaved, and staying with their people during war
13 April: Homily of Bishop John Fleming for Chrism Mass 2022
13 April: “This is our history, our mission and our legacy. The Risen Christ also calls us to be messengers of an Easter vision in our personal circumstances, in our time and in our world.” – Bishop Noel Treanor
13 April: Easter Message from the Church Leaders’ Group (Ireland)
11 April: Chrism Mass Homily from Bishop Paul Dempsey, Bishop of Achonry
11 April: Chrism Mass Homily of Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin
11 April: Easter Peace – joint Easter 2022 message from Archbishop Eamon Martin and Archbishop John McDowell
Additional messages and homilies for Holy Week and Easter will be posted here as they become available.
Details of Ceremonies in Dioceses for Holy Week and Easter 2022
Information on events and liturgies in dioceses for Holy Week and Easter 2022 will be posted here as they become available. Please do check out your parish website for local information.
Achonry Diocese
All are welcome to join Bishop Paul Dempsey, Bishop of Achonry for the annual Chrism Mass on Monday 11 April at 7.30pm in the Cathedral of the Annunciation and St Nathy in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon.
Armagh Archdiocese
Below are the ceremonies taking place in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, during Holy Week:
Spy Wednesday
The annual Chrism Mass will be celebrated at 7.00pm with Principal Celebrant Archbishop Eamon Martin.
Holy Thursday
Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated at 7.30pm with Archbishop Eamon Martin.
Good Friday
The Lord’s Passion will be commemorated at 3.00pm with Archbishop Eamon Martin presiding.
Holy Saturday
Archbishop Eamon Martin will celebrate the Easter Vigil at 9.00pm.
Easter Sunday
Clergy from the Armagh parish will celebrate Mass of the Lord’s Resurrection at 9.30am, 11.00am and 12.30pm.
Clogher Diocese
The Easter Triduum depicted through stained glass in Donagh Oratory, Emyvale, Co Monaghan.
The following services will take place in the Diocese of Clogher:
Holy Thursday
- Chrism Mass in Saint Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan at 11.00am
- Mass of the Lord’s Supper in Saint Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan at 7.00pm
Good Friday
- Celebration of the Lord’s Passion in Saint Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan at 3.00pm & 7.00pm.
Holy Saturday
- Easter Vigil in Saint Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan at 7.00pm.
Easter Sunday
Mass Times:
- Saint Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan – 12.30pm
- Saint Joseph’s, Park Street, Monaghan – 8.30am & 11.30am
- Saint Michael’s Ardaghey – 9.30am
- Saint Patrick’s Tyholland – 10.30am
Please click here for a comprehensive list of services in the Diocese of Clogher for Holy Week and Easter.
Cloyne Diocese
Derry Diocese
- Morning Prayer in the Cathedral at 10.00am.
- At 3.00pm and again at 7.30pm there will be a solemn celebration of the Passion of the Lord.
- There will be morning prayer in the Cathedral at 10.00m.
- The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available in the Cathedral from 11.30am until 6.00pm.
- At 10.00pm the Easter Vigil will be celebrated.
Archdiocese of Dublin
This is the Holy Week and Easter Schedule 2022 for Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Dublin:
Tuesday 12 April at 8.00pm
Lamentations
Wednesday 13 April at 7.30pm
The annual Chrism Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Dermot Farrell with priests and representatives from every parish gathering for Mass during which Holy Oils are blessed for the coming year and Priestly Service renewed.
The Palestrina Choir will provide the musical accompaniment.
Holy Thursday 14 April at 6.00pm
Archbishop Dermot Farrell will celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
Music will be provided by The Palestrina Choir
Good Friday 15 April – Day of Fast and Abstinence
Stations of the Cross will take place at 12noon. Music will be provided by the Pro-Cathedral Girls’ Choir
At 3.00pm the Solemn Celebration of the Lord’s Passion will take place with Archbishop Dermot Farrell presiding and music provided by The Palestrina Choir
Good Friday Ecumenical Walk with the Cross
This begins with a moment of prayer in Christ Church at 7.15pm after which the two Archbishopsof Dublin will quietly walk through the city carrying the cross to St Mary’s Pro -Cathedral concluding with prayers led by the Archbishops.
Holy Saturday 16 April
The Easter Vigil will be celebrated at 9.00pm with Principal Celebrant Archbishop Dermot Farrell. Music will be provided by The Palestrina Choir.
Easter Day of the Lord’s Resurrection Sunday 17 April
Mass for Easter Sunday will be celebrated at 9.30am with music provided by the Cathedral Girls’ Choir. Archbishop Dermot Farrell will be the Principal Celebrant at the 11.00am Mass with music provided by The Palestrina Choir.
All are welcome.
For more information on events in Dublin parishes see www.dublindiocese.ie
Elphin Diocese
The following services will take place in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Sligo:
Spy Wednesday: Mass of Chrism at 7.30pm.
Holy Thursday:
- Morning Prayer of the Church at 10.30am
- Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7.00pm
- Prayer at the Altar of Repose at 11.00pm
Good Friday:
- Morning Prayer of the Church at 10.30am
- Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3.00pm
- Stations of the Cross at 7.00pm
Holy Saturday:
- Morning Prayer of the Church at 10.30am
- Easter Vigil at 9.30pm
Easer Sunday: Mass of the Resurrection at 8.30am, 10.30am and 12noon.
Kildare and Leighlin Diocese
All are welcome to join Bishop Denis Nulty for the annual Chrism Mass in Carlow Cathedral on Monday 11 April at 7.30pm.
The Solemn Liturgy for Good Friday will be broadcast from the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin from 3.00pm – 4.00pm.00-on RTÉ One Television and on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra / LW252 on Friday 15 April. The Very Rev. Thomas O’Byrne will lead the congregation of the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow, in the solemn liturgy of the Lord’s Passion. Sacred music will be provided by Carlow Cathedral Choral Ensemble, directed by Marian Gaynor.
The Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday 16 April will also be broadcast from the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin from 10.50pm on RTÉ One Television and on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra / LW252. Bishop Denis Nulty will lead the congregation of the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow, in the joyful celebration of the Easter Vigil Mass of the Lord’s Resurrection. Liturgical music is led by Carlow Cathedral Choir, directed by Marian Gaynor.
Killaloe Diocese
Join Bishop Fintan Monahan, Bishop of Killaloe for the Chrism Mass in Ennis Cathedral on Wednesday 13 April at 7.30pm. The ceremony will include the renewal of priestly commitment and the inauguration of lay pastoral ministers for upcoming assignments.
Tuam Archdiocese
Celebrate Holy Week at Knock Shrine this year either in person or by following all of the live streamed events on www.knochshrine.ie. Below are the details for Holy Week at the International Marian and Eucharistic Shrine:
Palm Sunday – 10 April
Mass in the Basilica: 10am, 12 noon, 3pm (Rosary at 2.30pm)
Monday – Wednesday (11 – 13 April)
Parish Church: 9am & 7.30pm (Rosary at 7pm)
Knock Basilica: 12 noon and 3pm
Holy Thursday – 14 April
10am Morning Prayer (Parish Church)
7.30pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Basilica)
Good Friday – 15 April
10am : Morning Prayer (Parish Church)
12pm: Stations of the Cross (Basilica)
3pm: The Passion of Our Lord (Basilica)
7.30pm: Prayer and Veneration of the Cross (Basilica)
Holy Saturday – 16 April
10am: Morning Prayer (Parish Church)
11am: Blessing of Bread for the Polish Community *(To be confirmed)
9pm Easter Vigil Mass (Basilica)
Easter Sunday – 17 April
Mass: 9am (Parish Church)
10am, 12 noon & 3pm (Basilica)
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Daily 11am-3pm
Celebrate the Easter Triduum at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth
Please check back for more details as we will add updates to this list as the information is made available to us.
Holy Week Broadcasts on Television and Radio
RTÉ broadcasting output of liturgies during Holy Week 2022
Palm Sunday 10 April
Mass (11.00am RTÉ One TV & RTÉ Radio 1 Extra/LW252)
Father John Gilligan celebrates Mass for Palm Sunday with a congregation and choir from the pastoral areas of Saggart, Brittas, Rathcoole and Newcastle. Frank Brown is Musical Director.
Holy Thursday 14 April
Mass of the Lord’s Supper (16.40-17.35 RTÉ One TV & 19.00-19.55 RTÉ Radio 1 Extra / LW252)
Father Paul O’Driscoll celebrates Mass from the RTÉ stuidios in commemoration of the Last Supper with members of the Parish of the Travelling People.
Good Friday 15 April
Solemn Liturgy for Good Friday (15.00-16.00 RTÉ One TV & RTÉ Radio 1 Extra / LW252)
The Very Rev. Thomas O’Byrne leads the congregation of the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow, in the solemn liturgy of the Lord’s Passion. Sacred music will be provided by Carlow Cathedral Choral Ensemble, directed by Marian Gaynor.
Walled City Passion (16.30-17.45 on the RTÉ Player on Good Friday & 2230-2330 on RTÉ One on Easter Sunday)
Walled City Passion is an ambitious, re-imagining of the events of Easter, transposing the 1st century narrative into a modern-day context. The performance features professional actors, supported by a cross-community cast of hundreds, including 700 schoolchildren from 11 local schools. It will air live on the RTÉ Player at 16.30 on Good Friday, followed by an edited version at 22.30 on Easter Sunday on RTÉ One.
The Leap of Faith (22.00-22.30, RTÉ Radio 1)
Presenter Prof. Siobhán Garrigan hosts a special Good Friday edition of RTÉ Radio 1’s flagship religious series.
Holy Saturday 16 April
Easter Vigil Mass (22.50-00.05 on RTÉ One TV & 23.00- 00.15 on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra / LW252)
The Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin, the Most Rev. Denis Nulty leads the congregation of the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow, in the joyful celebration of the Easter Vigil Mass of the Lord’s Resurrection. Liturgical music is led by Carlow Cathedral Choir, directed by Marian Gaynor.
Easter Sunday 17 April
Mass for Easter Sunday (10.00-11.00, RTÉ One & RTÉ Radio 1 Extra / LW252). Monsignor Jan Hendriks celebrates the resurrection of Jesus with live Mass in St Nicholas’ Basilica, Amsterdam, with commentary and translation by Michael Kelly.The choir is directed by Giles Brightwell and the organist is Jos Maters.
Urbi et Orbi (11.45-12.10, RTÉ One)
Pope Francis delivers his message and Easter blessing to the city and the world from St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, with commentary and translation by Michael Kelly.
BBC’s Religious Easter programming announced for 2022
The BBC is marking Easter with a rich mix of new commissions, live programming and content on flagship strands across its TV and radio channels. There will be live services, worship and reflections on Easter Sunday from across the country: on BBC One there will be a live service from Leeds Minster, led by the Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines; on Radio 4 the Most Revd Justin Welby shares his Easter message live from Canterbury Cathedral; there will be a message from the Archbishop of Canterbury and voices from churches around England across all 39 local radio stations; and there will be worship and reflections on BBC Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In a new series for Easter on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, Jill Halfpenny’s Easter Walks, the actor takes viewers on a journey through Northeast England, exploring the surprising origins and connections between faith and place in her beloved Northumbria.
Airing across the Easter weekend, Easter from King’s on BBC Two shares seasonal choral music and readings from the fan-vaulted Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge while Urbi et Orbi on BBC One will show Pope Francis deliver his Easter Message and Blessing live from Rome.
In addition, in the build up to Easter, Pilgrimage: the Road to the Scottish Isles returns to BBC Two with seven new pilgrims following in the footsteps of the sixth century Irish monk, Saint Columba.
On BBC radio, Katie Piper brings an evening of music and reflections to BBC Radio 2 on Good Friday with At the Foot of the Cross and on BBC Radio 3, Diarmaid MacCulloch explores the many varieties of spiritual silence in human life and beyond in a new series of essays, Talking About Silence.
Also announced today is a new five part series A Believer’s Guide for BBC One and iPlayer, which will follow people as they navigate major life moments such as dealing with loss, becoming a parent or growing older. The series explores what faith has to offer during significant times of change.
There will be further content on the BBC’s flagship religious strands on TV and radio including Songs of Praise on BBC One, Lent Talks and Thought For The Day on BBC Radio 4, Good Morning Sunday on BBC Radio 2 and Heart And Soul on the World Service, as well as special features and items on BBC News and on popular shows including BBC Breakfast, The One Show and Newsround.
Prayers
Palm Sunday Prayer
Loving God, We praise you in a special way today as we celebrate Palm Sunday.
Be with us as we begin our journey through Holy Week that we may draw closer to you, knowing suffering and death, yet remaining hopeful in the life you promise.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Holy Thursday Prayer
Lord God,
You sent your Son into the world,
And before his hour had come,
He washed his disciples’ feet.
You had given all things into his hands.
He had come from you, and was going to you,
And what did he do?
He knelt down on the floor,
And washed his friends’ feet.
He was their teacher and their Lord,
Yet he washed their feet.
Lord God, help us learn from his example;
Help us to do as he has done for us.
The world will know we are his disciples
If we love one another.
Strengthen our hands and our wills for love
And for service.
Keep before our eyes the image of your Son,
Who, being God, became a Servant for our sake.
All glory be to him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and forever.
AMEN
Prayer at 3 o’clock on Good Friday
Jesus, you are my Lord and my God,
you endured such pain and suffering for me,
you died for love of me.
I kneel beneath your cross
and beg for mercy.
Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
O blood and water flowing from your side,
sanctify and cleanse me.
Lord, I love you with all my heart
and place all my trust in you.
Amen
Diana Ng-Sutherland/CAFOD
Walk with us
Jesus, you know what it’s like
to feel abandoned
lost and afraid.
Walk with us
And show us how to walk with others,
who live in fear,
who face death
through hunger or war.
Show us how to pray
for those we do not know
and will not meet,
but who are always loved by you.
Walk with us Jesus, Amen.
Linda Jones/CAFOD
ENDS
