Hundreds of thousands to fill Diocese’s churches for Holy Week, Easter
April 8, 2025 at 10:46 a.m.
Catholics will soon flock to their parishes to mark the solemnity of Holy Week and the Easter joy that follows. The doors to Catholic churches throughout the Diocese of Trenton will open wide to hundreds of thousands of parishioners and newcomers alike as special services and Masses will lead believers through the week-long retelling of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.
Palm Sunday • April 13
Palm Sunday, also referred to as Passion Sunday, commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem for the Jewish feast of Passover, and begins the most solemn and sacred week in the Church calendar. The Gospel account of the Passion of Christ is read aloud by readers, clergy and the laity. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will celebrate Palm Sunday Mass April 13 with the 11 a.m. Mass in St. George Church, Titusville. Over the course of the week, the Bishop will travel to five other parishes for Masses and services.
Chrism Mass • April 14
The annual Chrism Mass, a special event celebrated during Holy Week in Catholic churches around the world, is set for April 14 at 7:30 p.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, 61 Georgia Rd., Freehold.
All faithful of the Diocese are invited to join in this demonstration of the Diocese’s unity, as Bishop O’Connell consecrates the Sacred Chrism and blesses the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of the Catechumens – sacred oils used in parishes of the Diocese throughout the coming year for the conferral of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick.
As described in the Roman Missal, the Oil of the Sick is used to anoint the sick, bringing strength, comfort and forgiveness to those in need. The Oil of the Catechumens is blessed to strengthen those preparing for Baptism to avoid sin and grow in their faith. A catechumen is one who is preparing for Baptism in the Catholic Church. The Sacred Chrism is used for Baptism, Confirmation, ordination of priests and bishops and the consecration of altars and churches.
When Bishop O’Connell consecrates the Sacred Chrism, he will add a fragrant balsam to the oil and then breathe over the vessel, signifying the presence of the Holy Spirit. The oils and Sacred Chrism will be distributed to parish representatives who will carry them back to their faith communities to be used in sacramental rites throughout the year.
Dating back centuries to the early Church, the Chrism Mass also serves as a special day in the life of the priests as they formally recommit themselves to their ministry and service in the Diocese. More than 100 priests will attend and concelebrate Mass with the Bishop.
Representatives of all 97 parishes of the Diocese will be in attendance for this Mass, which will be live-streamed at youtube.com/trentondiocese.
Triduum • April 17-19
The remainder of Holy Week – known as the sacred Triduum – encompasses the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday (April 17), the Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday (April 18) and evening liturgy on Holy Saturday (April 19), the Great Vigil of Easter. Throughout these three days, parishes offer many opportunities for believers to witness and participate in moving dramatizations of Christ’s Passion (Stations of the Cross), Confession, prayer services, ritual celebrations and Masses.
Bishop O’Connell will observe the Sacred Triduum (the three days leading up to the Resurrection) and Easter Sunday with the following parish communities:
Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord’s Supper – April 17, 6 p.m. St. Aloysius, Jackson
Good Friday Liturgy – April 18, noon St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton
Holy Saturday Mass – April 19, 7:30 p.m., Our Lady Queen of Peace, Hainesport
Easter Sunday Mass – April 20, noon, St. Mary, Colts Neck.
Rituals like the washing of feet by priests on Holy Thursday and the Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday (April 18), will lead up to the Blessing of the new Easter fire outside Catholic churches around the world on Holy Saturday, when liturgical ministers carry the newly-lit Paschal Candle into the darkened churches to light candle tapers held by parishioners, one pew at a time, until the entire interior is bathed in light. Though celebrated on Holy Saturday evening, the Easter Vigil liturgy marks the beginning of Easter.
The following morning, families gather in churches for the jubilant celebration of Easter Sunday (April 20) The Mass of the Lord’s Resurrection.
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Catholics will soon flock to their parishes to mark the solemnity of Holy Week and the Easter joy that follows. The doors to Catholic churches throughout the Diocese of Trenton will open wide to hundreds of thousands of parishioners and newcomers alike as special services and Masses will lead believers through the week-long retelling of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.
Palm Sunday • April 13
Palm Sunday, also referred to as Passion Sunday, commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem for the Jewish feast of Passover, and begins the most solemn and sacred week in the Church calendar. The Gospel account of the Passion of Christ is read aloud by readers, clergy and the laity. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will celebrate Palm Sunday Mass April 13 with the 11 a.m. Mass in St. George Church, Titusville. Over the course of the week, the Bishop will travel to five other parishes for Masses and services.
Chrism Mass • April 14
The annual Chrism Mass, a special event celebrated during Holy Week in Catholic churches around the world, is set for April 14 at 7:30 p.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, 61 Georgia Rd., Freehold.
All faithful of the Diocese are invited to join in this demonstration of the Diocese’s unity, as Bishop O’Connell consecrates the Sacred Chrism and blesses the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of the Catechumens – sacred oils used in parishes of the Diocese throughout the coming year for the conferral of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick.
As described in the Roman Missal, the Oil of the Sick is used to anoint the sick, bringing strength, comfort and forgiveness to those in need. The Oil of the Catechumens is blessed to strengthen those preparing for Baptism to avoid sin and grow in their faith. A catechumen is one who is preparing for Baptism in the Catholic Church. The Sacred Chrism is used for Baptism, Confirmation, ordination of priests and bishops and the consecration of altars and churches.
When Bishop O’Connell consecrates the Sacred Chrism, he will add a fragrant balsam to the oil and then breathe over the vessel, signifying the presence of the Holy Spirit. The oils and Sacred Chrism will be distributed to parish representatives who will carry them back to their faith communities to be used in sacramental rites throughout the year.
Dating back centuries to the early Church, the Chrism Mass also serves as a special day in the life of the priests as they formally recommit themselves to their ministry and service in the Diocese. More than 100 priests will attend and concelebrate Mass with the Bishop.
Representatives of all 97 parishes of the Diocese will be in attendance for this Mass, which will be live-streamed at youtube.com/trentondiocese.
Triduum • April 17-19
The remainder of Holy Week – known as the sacred Triduum – encompasses the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday (April 17), the Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday (April 18) and evening liturgy on Holy Saturday (April 19), the Great Vigil of Easter. Throughout these three days, parishes offer many opportunities for believers to witness and participate in moving dramatizations of Christ’s Passion (Stations of the Cross), Confession, prayer services, ritual celebrations and Masses.
Bishop O’Connell will observe the Sacred Triduum (the three days leading up to the Resurrection) and Easter Sunday with the following parish communities:
Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord’s Supper – April 17, 6 p.m. St. Aloysius, Jackson
Good Friday Liturgy – April 18, noon St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton
Holy Saturday Mass – April 19, 7:30 p.m., Our Lady Queen of Peace, Hainesport
Easter Sunday Mass – April 20, noon, St. Mary, Colts Neck.
Rituals like the washing of feet by priests on Holy Thursday and the Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday (April 18), will lead up to the Blessing of the new Easter fire outside Catholic churches around the world on Holy Saturday, when liturgical ministers carry the newly-lit Paschal Candle into the darkened churches to light candle tapers held by parishioners, one pew at a time, until the entire interior is bathed in light. Though celebrated on Holy Saturday evening, the Easter Vigil liturgy marks the beginning of Easter.
The following morning, families gather in churches for the jubilant celebration of Easter Sunday (April 20) The Mass of the Lord’s Resurrection.