HOLY WEEK
and
EASTER
at
Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle 
Washington, D.C.
‌
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FROM THE RECTOR
"We mark so many dramatic events at this time: Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem; his poignant last meal with his friends; his trial and brutal execution. But the darkness of Good Friday leads inexorably to the glorious 'Alleluia! The Lord is Risen!' of Easter Sunday. It is our annual pilgrimage into both the darkness of human existence and the life-giving light of the Resurrection. My prayer is that the light of the Resurrection will fill you once again and remain with you throughout the year. May the Risen Lord grant peace to our world."
Msgr. W. Ronald Jameson, Rector
HOLY WEEK LITURGIES
Signs of growth, renewal and regeneration surround us in this springtime. We invite you to join us, as often as you can, at our Holy Week and Easter liturgies. Let us enter with Christ this Holy Week, beginning on Palm Sunday, April 14, when palms will be blessed before the 10am and 1pm (Spanish) Masses.

Let us commemorate and pass through His suffering together, remain with Him at the Cross, and celebrate our rising with Him at the Easter Vigil or on Easter Sunday! You are most welcome! (links in photos)
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion, April 14
Masses with the distribution of palms:
  • 5:30pm (Saturday, April 13)
  • 7am
  • 8:30am (cantor)
  • 9:45am Blessing of Palms & 10am Mass (Cardinal Donald Wuerl) (choir)
  • † 11:30am (choir)
  • 1pm Blessing of Palms followed by Mass (Bishop Mario Dorsonville) (en español)
  • 5:30pm (contemporary choir)

  • 7am: Mass
  • 8:30am: Mass
  • 11am to Noon: Confessions (English & en español)
  • 12:10pm: Mass
  • 1pm to 6pm: The Cathedral closes at 1pm and reopens at 6pm
  • 7pm: Chrism Mass & Blessing of Oils (Cardinal Donald Wuerl) (choir)
"Come Home for Easter!" St. Matthew's rectory priests are joined by over a dozen other priests from around the Archdiocese of Washington to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Polish, Italian, French and American Sign. The Penance Service is Tuesday of Holy Week, April 16.
Tuesday of Holy Week, April 16
  • 7am: Mass
  • 7:30am: Morning Prayer, St. Anthony Chapel
  • 8am: Mass
  • 11am: No Confessions scheduled
  • 12:10pm: Communal Penance Service, "Come Home for Easter"
  • 5:30pm: Mass 
Tenebræ, celebrated on Wednesday of Holy Week, April 17, features the Schola Cantorum  leading us in the singing of psalms and canticles, readings by Cathedral lectors, and the gradual extinguishing of fifteen candles. The Strepitus is sounded in the total darkness created when the Paschal candle is taken from the sanctuary, recalling Christ's death.
  • 7am: Mass
  • 8am: Mass
  • 11am to Noon: Confessions 
  • 12:10pm: Mass
  • 5:30pm: Mass
  • 6pm to 7:15pm: Confessions 
  • 7:30pm: Tenebræ (choir)
THE PASCHAL TRIDUUM
The 5:30pm Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, April 18, includes the Washing of Feet, often referred to as the Mandatum, from Jesus' words at the Last Supper (Jn 13:14) and the first word of one of the antiphons that can be chanted during the ceremony: "Mandatum novum do vobis…" (I give you a new commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you, says the Lord).
  • 8am: The Cathedral opens
  • 9am: Morning Prayer, St. Anthony Chapel
  • 11am to Noon: Confessions (English & en español) 
  • 12:10pm: Mass of The Lord’s Supper (contemporary choir)
  • 5:30pm: Solemn Mass of The Lord's Supper (Cardinal Donald Wuerl) (choir)
  • Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 10pm
  • 9:45pm: Night Prayer 
  • 10pm: The Cathedral closes
Fr. Timothy O'Brien, S.J., Parochial Vicar of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., delivers this year's Good Friday Reflection on "The Seven Last Words of Christ" at Noon on April 19, joined by the Cathedral Schola Cantorum. The Liturgy of the Lord's Passion follows at 1pm.
  • 8am: The Cathedral opens
  • 9am: Morning Prayer, St. Anthony Chapel
  • 11am to Noon: Confessions (English & en español) 
  • Noon: Reflections on the Lord's Passion with Rev. Timothy O'Brien, S.J., Associate Pastor, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, and the Schola Cantorum
  • † 1pm: Liturgy of the Lord's Passion (Cardinal Donald Wuerl) (choir)
  • 4pm: Liturgia de la Pasión de N.S. Jesucristo, Adoración de la Santa Cruz, y Santa Comunión (Obispo Mario Dorsonville) (en español)
  • 7:30pm: Stations of the Cross (in English) 
At the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, April 20, the greatest feast of the Church’s liturgical year, we will welcome 16 new brothers and sisters into the Catholic community—7 will be baptized, confirmed and celebrate their First Eucharist; 6 baptized will make their Profession of Faith, be confirmed and celebrate full communion with us; and three baptized Catholics will complete their Sacraments of Initiation. The Easter Vigil begins at 8pm and is followed by a reception in the North Conference Room - all are welcome!
  • 8am: The Cathedral opens.
  • 9am: Morning Prayer, St. Anthony Chapel
  • 11am to Noon: Confessions (English & en español)
  • Noon to 7pm: No Masses during the day. The Cathedral closes at Noon and reopens at 7pm.
  • † 8pm: Easter Vigil Mass (Cardinal Donald Wuerl) (choir); Reception following in the North Conference Room

Easter Sunday, Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord, April 21 
Masses: 
  • 7am
  • 8:30am (cantor)
  • 10am (Cardinal Donald Wuerl) (choir)
  • † 11:30am (choir)
  • 1pm (en español)
  • 5:30pm (contemporary choir)

The rectory office is closed Easter Sunday, April 21, and Easter Monday, April 22.

† Interpreted for the deaf
CATHEDRAL OF ST. MATTHEW THE APOSTLE
1725 Rhode Island Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-347-3215
Copyright © 2017- 2019
All rights reserved
Photo credit P. Carroll unless otherwise noted