Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

Palm Sunday

April 2, 2023

“They divide my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots. But you, O LORD, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me.” (Ps 22: 19-20)

In this edition:

Thursday Zoom Q/A on Meister Eckhart

Friday Simple Lenten Meal with Adopt-a-Family

Holy Week and Easter, day by day

Holy Week at the Cathedral

In his Easter letter Msgr. Jameson writes:

"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."

All are welcome to the Cathedral for Holy Week and Easter! All liturgies are open to the public, with no seating limits or tickets needed. Face masks are encouraged but not required. Seating for all liturgies is first-come, first-served.

Check our Livestreams webpage for links to livestreamed liturgies and programs, as they are available.

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion | April 1/2

On Palm Sunday we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. We welcome Cardinal Gregory as the 11am Mass celebrant, and Bishop Esposito-Garcia as the 1pm Mass celebrant.

As we begin Holy Week with a reading of the Passion, L.J. Milone in this week's Mystical Word column writes, "Jesus shows us the best way to respond to all the evil and pain in the world: forgiveness, mercy, and holding the pain so God can use it to change us. Is this not what Jesus did on the cross?" READ MORE

Masses with the distribution of palms:

The Cathedral opens at 6:30am and closes at 7:00pm.

5:30pm (Saturday, April 1 Vigil) (Cantor)
7:00am
9:00am (Cantor)
† 11:00am with Blessing of Palms, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Washington (Schola Cantorum) (ADW Livestream)
1:00pm (en español) with Blessing of Palms & Procession, Most Rev. Juan Esposito-Garcia, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington (Coro Hispano) (ADW Livestream)
2:00pm Via Crucis (en español)
5:30pm (Contemporary Choir)

† Interpreted for the Deaf

Online Offertory: PayPal | FaithDirect

Let us pray:

—for the sick, especially Eileen Elvin, Geralda Masi, Katie Roland, Peter Tan, Wayne Mullings, Theodore Merkle, Jr., Jonnie Irwin, Debbie Fairchild Harding, Vic Harding, Dr. Robert Ryan, Mary & Carl Milewski, Therese Fergo, Maria Gianino, Yolanda Mendez Acevedo, Anne Rader, Robyn Nishimi, Paul Gruber, and Blanca Rose Juarez;

—for the recently deceased, especially Fr. Frederick H. MacIntyre, Fr. Peter Alliata and Fr. Donald Brice;

—for our Elect receiving Baptism, First Eucharist, and Confirmation: Andre Gouyet, Lane Hudson, Aliye Garrett, Nicolas Busch, Shaylee Marie Gómez, Bryan Alvarez Ceron, and Giovani Alvarez Ceron;

—for our Candidates for Full Communion: Rachel Myers, Ryan Evans, Rebecca Kinnebrew, Everest Yan, Hutch Young, and Michelle Banks; and

—for our Catholic completing Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist: Sonja Packard.

FIND DAILY REFLECTIONS FOR HOLY WEEK

Chrism Mass & Monday of Holy Week | April 3

The Chrism Mass for the Archdiocese of Washington is celebrated by Cardinal Gregory. During this annual Mass, the sacramental oils used by all parishes in the archdiocese over the coming year are blessed, and the priests of the archdiocese renew the promises made at their ordination.

7:00am The Cathedral opens.
7:30am | Mass
8:30am | The Cathedral closes and reopens at 1:00pm.
† 2:00pm | Chrism Mass, Cardinal Wilton Gregory (Schola Cantorum) (ADW Livestream)
5:30pm | Mass (The Cathedral closes at 6:30pm.)

† Interpreted for the Deaf

Penance Service & Tuesday of Holy Week | April 4

We invite you to our Communal Penance Service, "Come Home for Easter," at 12:10pm with Fr. Benson as presider and homilist. View a Guide to the Sacrament of Reconciliation (English) (en español).

7:00am The Cathedral opens.
7:30am | Mass
† 12:10pm | "Come Home for Easter," Communal Penance Service (Cantor) (Confessions in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, and American Sign Language)
5:30pm | Mass (The Cathedral closes at 6:30pm.)

† Interpreted for the Deaf

Tenebrae & Wednesday of Holy Week | April 5

The Tenebrae will be celebrated at 7:30pm on Wednesday of Holy Week again this year. All of the traditional elements will be present including lamentations, readings and motets with the Schola Cantorum and Cathedral lectors. We hope you can join us, in the Cathedral, with Msgr. Jameson presiding. READ MORE

7:00am The Cathedral opens.
7:30am | Mass
11:00am - 12 Noon | Confessions
12:10pm | Mass
5:30pm | Mass
6:15pm - 7:00pm | Confessions
7:30pm | Liturgy of Tenebrae (Schola Cantorum) (The Cathedral closes immediately after the service.)

Photo by Archdiocese of Washington/Catholic Standard

Masses of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday | April 6

Join us for the Mass of Lord's Supper at 12:10pm with Msgr. Jameson presiding, or at 5:30pm with Cardinal Gregory presiding, with the Washing of the Feet. The Paschal Triduum begins on the evening of Holy Thursday and extends to the evening of Easter Sunday.

8:00am The Cathedral opens.
9:00am | Morning Prayer in the St. Anthony Chapel
11:00am - 12 Noon | Confessions
12:10pm | Mass of the Lord's Supper (Contemporary Choir)
† 5:30pm | Mass of the Lord's Supper with Washing of the Feet, Cardinal Wilton Gregory (Schola Cantorum) (ADW Livestream)
7:00pm | Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the St. Anthony Chapel
9:45pm | Night Prayer in the St. Anthony Chapel
10:00pm | Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament (The Cathedral closes immediately after Reposition.)

† Interpreted for the Deaf

Liturgies of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday | April 7

Sara Fairbanks, OP, PhD delivers a Reflection on the Lord's Passion at Noon on Good Friday, joined by the Schola Cantorum. READ MORE. Following the Reflection, the Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord is celebrated at 1pm by Cardinal Gregory and at 4pm by Bishop Esposito-Garcia. Msgr. Jameson closes the day with Stations of the Cross at 7:30pm.

8:00am The Cathedral opens.
9:00am | Morning Prayer in the St. Anthony Chapel
11:00am - 12 Noon | Confessions
12 Noon | Reflection on the Seven Last Words, Sara Fairbanks, OP, PhD, Associate Professor of Theology and Preaching, Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis, MO (Schola Cantorum)
† 1:00pm | Liturgy of the Lord's Passion, Cardinal Wilton Gregory (Schola Cantorum) (ADW Livestream)
4:00pm | Liturgia de la Pasión de N.S. Jesucristo, Adoración de la Santa Cruz, y Santa Comunión (en español), Most Rev. Juan Esposito-Garcia (ADW Livestream)
7:30pm | Stations of the Cross (The Cathedral closes immediately after Stations.)

† Interpreted for the Deaf

Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday | April 8

On Holy Saturday at 8pm, Cardinal Gregory celebrates the Easter Vigil, ranked by the Church as "the mother of all vigils." On this night, we welcome new life into the Body of Christ as 14 people receive the sacraments of initiation (scroll up for their names in our prayer petition).

8:00am The Cathedral opens.
9:00am | Morning Prayer in the St. Anthony Chapel
11:00am - 12 Noon | Confessions
The Cathedral closes at 12Noon and reopens at 7:00pm.
† 8:00pm | Easter Vigil, Cardinal Wilton Gregory (Schola Cantorum) (ADW Livestream) (The Cathedral closes immediately after the Vigil).

† Interpreted for the Deaf

The Resurrection of the Lord, Easter Sunday | April 9

Join us as we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord and his victory over sin and death! The Resurrection of Jesus gives us hope for our own share in His Resurrection at the end of our life. Christ is Risen, Alleluia, Alleluia! Cardinal Gregory presides at the 9am Mass.

Masses:

The Cathedral opens at 6:30am and closes at 7:00pm.

7:00am
† 9:00am, Cardinal Wilton Gregory (Schola Cantorum) (ADW Livestream)
11:00am (Schola Cantorum)
1:00pm (en español) (Cathedral Livestream to be available on our YouTube channel)
5:30pm (Contemporary Choir)

† Interpreted for the Deaf

Ministerio Hispano

Noticias

No habrá Clases de Catecismo en español el domingo 2 de abril.

No hay Grupo de Oración en español el martes 4 de abril.

Ayuno y Abstinencia en Cuaresma

El Viernes Santo, 7 de abril, es un día de ayuno y abstinencia. Los católicos que ya llegaron a los 18 años de edad, pero que son menores de 60 años, están obligados al ayuno, que consiste en una sola comida completa durante el día. Todos los católicos que han cumplido 14 años están obligados a los días de abstinencia en los cuales no se debe de comer carne.

News, Events & Reminders

Reminder re Meister Eckhart Live Zoom Q/A March 30

We hope you have had a chance to sample the pre-recorded Zoom sessions by L.J. Milone on German mystic Meister Eckhart and his teachings on gelassenheit or releasement (meaning letting go/letting be) as the key to unity with God. The live Zoom session on March 30 is your opportunity to ask questions & dialogue with L.J. about the "Pure Release" series.

MARCH 30 7PM ZOOM LINK

Meeting ID: 857 4609 8490

Passcode: 281201

Simple Lenten Gathering

Join us for our final Simple Lenten Meal on Friday, March 31 as St. Matthew's Parish Pastoral Council members serve the meal, and volunteers with St. Matthew's Adopt-a-Family program talk about this longstanding parish ministry to local families in need. We meet at 6:30pm after Stations of the Cross, in the North Conference Room.

Communion under Both Species

At the 5:30pm Mass on Holy Thursday, we are pleased to offer Communion under both species. Receiving from the chalice is optional for all, including EMHCs (Communion ministers). Distributing Communion from the cup also is optional for EMHCs. Contact Msgr. Jameson or Fr. Benson if you have questions.

Good Friday Collection. Pope Francis asks us to support the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, which helps Christians in the Holy Land. Make a gift during our Good Friday liturgies, or donate online. Thank you for your support.

Lenten Fast and Abstinence

Good Friday, April 7, is a day of fast and abstinence. All Catholics who have reached their 18th birthday and are less than 60 years old are bound to observe the fast, by which they are limited to a single full meal during the course of the day. All Catholics who have reached their 14th birthday must observe days of abstinence, during which no meat may be eaten.