We hope you can join us as we mark Holy Week and Easter with a number of special services, including:
Palm Sunday Solemn Mass
9 April, 11am
A procession from the Cathedral garden with Blessed Palms precedes this Solemn Choral Mass, which includes a sung reading of the Passion gospel.
Tenebrae
9 April, 7.30pm
The word Tenebrae is Latin for “shadows” and refers to the gradual extinguishing of candles and lights as this service proceeds. The choir will sing responsories by the French composer Francis Poulenc, and a setting of words from the Lamentations of Jeremiah by English composer Thomas Tallis. The service concludes with the singing of Psalm 51, Miserere Mei, Deus (Have mercy on me, God) set to music by Gregorio Allegri with its spine tingling ‘top C’s’ for treble soloist.
Mass of Chrism
12 April, 7.30pm
Priests and Deacons of the Archdiocese with their Parish Community, gather together to celebrate the Mass of Chrism and renew their vows of service in the presence of the congregation.
Holy Oils used for the administration of the sacraments are blessed at the service.
Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Maundy Thursday, 13 April, 7.30pm
After the reading of the Gospel the Archbishop washes the feet of some of the congregation in imitation of Christ and we commemorate the Lord’s Supper. We conclude with Watching and Night Prayer at 10.30pm.
Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
Good Friday 14 April, 3pm
With sung Passion followed by Veneration of the Cross and Confession.
A separate Children’s Liturgy of the Word will be heard at this service.
The Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter
Holy Saturday, 15 April, 9pm
We mark the end of Lent with one of the most important and symbolic services of the Cathedral year.
A fire will be lit outside of the Cathedral and the congregation will gather as it is blessed by the Archbishop.
The service will then begin in complete darkness, before light is gradually brought in, symbolising the light of God which shines brightest through the darkest times.
Baptismal vows will be renewed as we celebrate the first Mass of Easter.
Easter Sunday Solemn Choral Mass
Easter Sunday, 16 April, 11am
A full list of services can be found in our Holy Week and Easter Service leaflet.
Stations of the Cross
Throughout Lent there will be Stations of the Cross after the 12.15pm Mass on Fridays in the Crypt Chapel.
Please note: From Easter Tuesday, 18 April until Friday 21 April, there will be one Mass only at 12.15pm in the Crypt Chapel. Normal daily service times resume on Saturday 22 April. Regular weekday choral services resume on Monday 24 April.
