Latest News Celebrating Holy Week and Easter 2025 at St Chad’s Cathedral This is Holy Week People across the Archdiocese of Birmingham have started their Holy Week journey. The ceremonies began with Palm Sunday and continue with the Sacred Three Days (Triduum) of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. These are some of the most beautiful and precious moments of prayer in the whole year as we celebrate the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We will be capturing the celebrations at St Chad’s Cathedral, the Diocesan Mother Church. We wish you all a blessed Holy Week and Easter. Easter Vigil The greatest and most noble of all Solemnities, celebrated by Archbishop Bernard Longley. The service began outside the Crypt at St Chad’s Cathedral with the Blessing of the Fire and Preparation of the Paschal Candle. A procession then followed into the cathedral with lighted candles for the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet). The Easter Vigil consists of four parts: The Service of Light, The Liturgy of the Word, The Blessing of Water (includes the Renewal of Baptismal Promises / The Rite of Reception / The Rite of Confirmation), The Liturgy of the Eucharist. In the Liturgy of the Word, Holy Church meditates on the wonders the Lord God has done for his people from the beginning. In the Baptismal Liturgy we welcomed new members into the Church; and with the Renewal of our Baptismal Promises the Church is called to the table the Lord has prepared for his people, the memorial of his Death and Resurrection until he comes again. Around 200 people will have been welcomed into the Church at Easter Vigil services across the Archdiocese. At St Chad’s Cathedral there were two receptions and five confirmations. For his Homily Archbishop Bernard began with: “Tonight we can rejoice and be grateful that we have completed our journey as pilgrims of hope through the penitential season of Lent. We have reached the Vigil which completes the Easter Triduum, keeping watch for the first dawning light of the risen Saviour. This night also marks the completion of a journey of preparation for the sacraments of baptism and confirmation for the catechumens and candidates who are here with their sponsors and families.” Read Homily in full Link to Mass booklet Photo Gallery: Easter Vigil Watch! Blessing of the Fire and Preparation of the Paschal Candle Procession into the cathedral with lighted candles for the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) The Service of Light Good Friday Solemn Liturgy At the Solemn Liturgy we celebrate the Passion of Christ and the triumph of the Cross. First, the Archbishop and the ministers made a reverence at the altar. We also take time to give Adoration to the Holy Cross. Archbishop Bernard Longley was the principal celebrant and Cathedral Dean Canon Brian McGinley gave the homily. Canon Brian said: "This is the darkest and most solemn day of the year, a day that has a hold on the many who seek out churches even though they might not usually come. They come to see and touch the cross – that symbol of shame, torture, death and rejection, that at the same time becomes the sign of life, light, hope and healing." Read Full Homily Photo Gallery: Solemn Liturgy Good Friday Walk of Witness The Way of the Cross. We joined our ecumenical friends from the Anglican community, Salvation Army, United Reformed Church, the Romanian Orthodox Church, and the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Birmingham. We meditated on the Stations of the Cross, and walked in silence and contemplation through Birmingham City Centre, from The Church at Carrs Lane to St Chad's Cathedral. Photo Gallery: Walk of Witness Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday “Maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum, or commandment, reflecting Jesus’ words “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another as I have loved you.” [Jn 13:34]. Maundy Thursday begins the Easter Triduum. During this Mass we recall the Institution of the Eucharist and Priestly Orders. The Homily was delivered by Fr James Preston of St Mary's College, Oscott. He began by saying: “As we gather to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, when Jesus, on the eve of His Passion, instituted the Holy Eucharist and the Priesthood, we hear and respond to His command: "Do this in remembrance of me". The final words of any person as they approach death hold great significance. They leave a lasting impression on loved ones – almost like a last testament, a gift. This is especially true for Jesus and His disciples during those final hours marked by betrayal, sacrifice and love. As his followers we gather to remember His words: "Do this in remembrance of me." Read Homily in full After the Homily Archbishop Bernard Longley washed the feet of seminarians from Oscott and congregants in imitation of and representing Christ. The Washing of the Feet reminds us all that we should imitate the Lord who came among us in love to serve and not be served. Following Mass, the Blessed Sacrament was reposed in the Lady Chapel for silent prayer and contemplation – watching with Christ on the night before his Crucifixion. The evening concluded with Night Prayer of the Church (Compline). Photo Gallery: Holy Thursday Palm Sunday We began Holy Week on Sunday 13 April by following in the footsteps of Christ with a Palm Sunday procession at St Chad’s Cathedral. Archbishop Bernard Longley was principal celebrant at the 11.30am Mass. It began outside, by the entrance to the crypt, with music from the cathedral choir, prayer, the reading of St Luke’s Gospel 19:28-40 and the blessing of palms. A procession into the cathedral followed, led by altar servers, staff and seminarians from St Mary’s College, Oscott, clergy and parishioners. This was a joyful sight to behold as the faithful gathered together, commemorating our Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem. His Grace opened the Homily with: Today’s Procession and Mass of Palm Sunday opens the door for us to enter into the mystery of Holy Week. During this week the Church is asking us not just to be bystanders looking on but to be participants in the saving events of Christ’s death and resurrection – united with him through our baptism. In these solemn liturgies we experience everything that he went through for our sake and we are made to reflect on its impact on our lives. Read Homily in full Passion Sunday, or Palm Sunday as many people commonly know it, marks the beginning of Holy Week, a day we commemorate the triumphant arrival of Christ into Jerusalem just days before the crucifixion. The Liturgical colour of the Palm Sunday Mass is red, symbolising the redemption in blood that Christ paid for the world. Palms blessed on Palm Sunday are used in the procession of the day, then taken home by the faithful and used for personal devotion. Link to Mass booklet Holy Week and Easter at St Chad's Cathedral Photo Gallery: Palm Sunday Watch! Processing from the cathedral entrance to the crypt Blessing of the palms All process into the cathedral Manage Cookie Preferences