Holy Week

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The Good Friday tradition of the ‘Last Words of Christ’

Apr 2, 2021

By CNA Staff

Begun in Peru in the 1600s, the tradition of reflecting on the last words of Christ from the cross is... Read more

From left: Relic of the Lignum Crucis, Holy Shroud, and Holy Chalice.

Three relics of Christ’s Passion housed in Spain

Apr 1, 2021

By CNA Staff

While the Shroud of Turin – believed to be the burial cloth that wrapped the body of Jesus after his... Read more

Pilgrims participate in the Good Friday Via Crucis with Pope Francis March 30, 2018.

Scouts and parish kids write meditations for this year’s Vatican Way of the Cross

Mar 23, 2021

Pope Francis has chosen a scouting group from central Italy and kids from a Roman parish to prepare the meditations... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates the Liturgy of the Passion of Our Lord in St. Peter's Basilica April 14, 2017. Credit: L'Osservatore Romano.

Holy Week 2021: Vatican issues guidelines for Catholics amid ongoing COVID-19 restrictions

Feb 17, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued guidelines on Wednesday for the celebration of... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates the Easter Vigil April 11, 2020.

Full text: Pope Francis’ homily at the Easter Vigil

Apr 11, 2020

The full prepared text of the Easter Vigil homily of Pope Francis, delivered April 11 at St. Peter's Basilica.  Read more

Pope Francis celebrates the Easter Vigil April 11, 2020.

Be messengers of life amid death, says Pope Francis at Easter Vigil

Apr 11, 2020

Pope Francis urged Christians to be “messengers of life in a time of death” as he celebrated the Easter Vigil... Read more

Crowds pray the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum with Pope Francis on Good Friday 2019.

Beauty, drama and pinpoint silence: Easter Triduum memories from Rome

Apr 11, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

As Christians reflect on the reality of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ during these three momentous days,... Read more

Pope Francis presides at the Stations of the Cross outside St. Peter's Basilica.

At Via Crucis, Pope Francis prays for those serving the suffering

Apr 10, 2020

Pope Francis prayed for those who are serving the suffering as he presided at the Stations of the Cross in... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square April 17, 2019.

'I am close to the People of God': Pope startles host with call on live TV

Apr 10, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

“I am close, I am close to you all,” Pope Francis said on Good Friday, making a surprise call-in to... Read more

Pope Francis prays by the crucifix in St. Peter's Basilica April 10, 2020.

The cross has changed the meaning of suffering, says papal preacher on Good Friday

Apr 10, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Through his death on the cross, Jesus has redeemed all human pain, including the suffering caused by the coronavirus pandemic,... Read more

Fr. Cantalamessa preaches on Good Friday, April 19, 2019.

Full text: Fr. Cantalamessa's homily for Good Friday

Apr 10, 2020

Here is the full text of the Good Friday homily of Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap., delivered April 10 at... Read more

Not sure about 'Triduum at Home'? Here are some CNA Holy Week suggestions

Apr 9, 2020

For many Catholics, this will be the first time the days of Holy Week are spent at home. If you’re... Read more

Pope Francis offers Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on April 9, 2020.

Full Text: Pope Francis' Holy Thursday Homily

Apr 9, 2020

Here is the full text of Pope Francis' Holy Thursday homily, delivered April 9 at the Basilica of St. Peter.  Read more

Pope celebrates Mass in St. Peter's on Holy Thursday.

On Holy Thursday, Pope Francis recalls priests dying amid pandemic

Apr 9, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis recalled the priests who have lost their lives during the coronavirus crisis as he offered the Mass of... Read more

Governor Laura Kelly delivers her inaugural speech is front of the steps of the Kansas State Capitol building, Jan 2019.

Kansas limits Easter church services to 10 people or less

Apr 9, 2020

The state of Kansas is limiting religious services to no more than ten people for Easter as part of measures... Read more

Sacred Heart of Jesus in Winchester. Courtesy photo

Arlington diocese offers virtual pilgrimage for Holy Thursday

Apr 7, 2020

By Christine Rousselle

With churches closed and strict social distancing in force in many places, the Diocese of Arlington has created a virtual pilgrimage... Read more

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa blesses the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

Jerusalem archbishop blesses city with True Cross relic

Apr 6, 2020

Unable to lead the traditional Palm Sunday procession through Jerusalem, Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa blessed the city with a relic of the... Read more

Pope Francis prays during Palm Sunday Mass April 5, 2020.

Pope Francis on Palm Sunday: Let us stand before the crucifix in our homes

Apr 5, 2020

By Courtney Mares

On Palm Sunday, Pope Francis offered Mass in a nearly empty St. Peter’s Basilica and urged Catholics quarantined at home... Read more

A statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus inside the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Rome, Italy. June 9, 2015.

Archbishop Gomez to lead Good Friday Sacred Heart litany

Apr 4, 2020

“This Holy Week will be different. Our churches may be closed, but Christ is not quarantined and his Gospel is... Read more

Pope Francis offers Mass on Easter Sunday April 21, 2019.

Pope Francis will offer Easter liturgies in St. Peter's Basilica and with no public

Mar 27, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis will follow a slightly modified schedule this year for the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter, which will... Read more