Holy Week 2026
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
March 29 marks the start of Holy Week, the eight days from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday dedicated to reflecting on the final days of Jesus’ life. Blessing of the palms will take place at all our churches.
The Sacred Triduum
Holy Thursday – April 2
Commemorates Jesus Christ’s institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood at the Last Supper, along with the washing of the feet and the Chrism Mass celebrated by the bishop with his priests. The Chrism Mass is a solemn liturgy, traditionally celebrated by the bishop with his priests on Holy Thursday morning, during which the sacred chrism is consecrated and the oils of catechumens and the sick are blessed.
No morning Masses or Confessions
- 10:00 a.m. | Diocese of Madison Chrism Mass at St. Maria Goretti
- 7:30 p.m. | Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Maria Goretti
Adoration following Mass in the Parish Hall until 11:00 p.m.
Good Friday – April 3
Solemnly recalls the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ on the Cross through the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion, including the reading of the Passion narrative, veneration of the Cross, and distribution of Holy Communion from the reserved Sacrament, observed as a day of obligatory penance with fasting and abstinence.
No morning Masses or Confessions
- 3:00 p.m. | Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord at St. Maria Goretti
Holy Saturday – April 4
A day of quiet waiting at the Lord’s tomb in prayer and fasting, during which the Church meditates on Christ’s Passion, Death, and Descent into Hell while anticipating his Resurrection, with no Mass celebrated.
The EASTER VIGIL is the “mother of all holy Vigils,” celebrated entirely at night on Holy Saturday as the high point of the Paschal Triduum, comprising the Service of Light (with the Paschal Candle and Exsultet), extensive Liturgy of the Word (seven Old Testament readings recalling salvation history), Baptismal Liturgy (initiations and renewal of promises), and Eucharistic Liturgy, through which the Church awaits and celebrates Christ’s Resurrection.
No morning Masses or Confessions
- 1:00 p.m. | Blessing of the Easter Food at St. Maria Goretti
- 8:00 p.m. | Easter Vigil at St. Maria Goretti
Easter Sunday – April 5
Celebrates the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the central feast of the liturgical year that begins the Easter Octave and the fifty-day Easter Season, marked by profound joy and renewal.
- 7:30 a.m. | St. William
- 8:30 a.m. | St. Maria Goretti
- 9:30 a.m. | St. Andrew
- 10:30 a.m. | St. Maria Goretti
- 5:00 p.m. | St. Maria Goretti