GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Palm Sunday is March 29, commemorating Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
In the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids, Bishop David Walkowiak will celebrate the liturgies at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew on Sunday at 10 a.m. in Grand Rapids. Similar Masses will take place in parishes throughout the diocese.
"In His last days, Jesus was close to his disciples," Diocese communications director Annalise Laumeyer told WOOD Radio News in a phone interview. "So, in the same way, during Holy Week we celebrate these liturgies so we, too, can be close to Him."
By attending as many liturgies as possible, Laumeyer said you can enter more deeply into the Church's commemoration of Christ's Passion, death and resurrection.
Livestreams of all liturgies, except the Easter Vigil, will be available on the Diocese of Grand Rapids website, GRdiocese.org and the diocesan YouTube channel.
Mass on Palm Sunday and Easter will be televised live at 10 a.m. on FOX 17.
"Our doors are always open, and we invite you to join us," Laumeyer said. "During the Easter vigil, we welcome new members into the Catholic church. And this is always an exciting time for our parish communities and our local church in West Michigan, as a whole.
"But even more so this year, we have 541 people entering the church at the Easter vigil. This is our largest number since 2011," she said.
Here are details from a diocese news release:
These same Masses will take place in parishes throughout the diocese.
- Sunday, March 29, at 10 a.m., Bishop Walkowiak will celebrate Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem where he was welcomed by crowds worshiping him and laying down palms before him.
- Tuesday, March 31, at 7 p.m., Bishop Walkowiak will celebrate chrism Mass. At this Mass, the bishop consecrates the holy chrism and blesses the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens. Chrism is used throughout the year in the celebration of the sacraments of baptism and confirmation, and at the ordination Masses celebrated at the cathedral. During this Mass, the priests of the Diocese of Grand Rapids also publicly renew their commitment to serve. This is a ticketed Mass and is not open to the public.
- Holy Thursday, April 2, at 7 p.m., Bishop Walkowiak will preside at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. During this Mass, the bishop celebrates the Last Supper, where Christ established the Eucharist and washed the feet of his twelve apostles in an act of love and service. The washing of the apostles’ feet will be recreated by washing the feet of 12 members of the parish.
- Good Friday, April 3, at 3 p.m., Bishop Walkowiak will begin the celebration of the Lord’s Passion, the time of suffering leading up to and including Christ’s death on the cross. This liturgy includes prayers, the Scriptural proclamation of Christ’s Passion and veneration of the cross.
- Holy Saturday, April 4, at 9 p.m., Bishop Walkowiak will preside at the Easter Vigil. Parish communities throughout the diocese, including the cathedral, will welcome new members during this Mass. Across the diocese, 541 people will be welcomed into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. This is the largest number of individuals who’ve joined the Catholic Church in West Michigan since 2011. This number consists of 216 catechumens and 325 candidates. Catechumens will receive baptism, first holy Communion and confirmation at the Easter Vigil. Candidates are already baptized and will receive one or both of the other two sacraments of initiation (holy Communion or confirmation).
- Easter, April 5, at 10 a.m., Bishop Walkowiak will celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord. The Easter celebration is the principal feast of the Catholic Church year; the cornerstone upon which our faith is built and the oldest feast of the Christian Church.
Livestreams of all liturgies, except the Easter Vigil, will be available on the Diocese of Grand Rapids website, GRdiocese.org and the diocesan YouTube channel.