Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez to Celebrate Palm Sunday and the Sacred Paschal Triduum at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
Faithful throughout the five-county Archdiocese of Philadelphia
will celebrate Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord and the Sacred Paschal Triduum at their local parishes.
Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday
March 29, 2026 – April 4, 2026
MASS SCHEDULE FOR PALM SUNDAY OF
THE PASSION OF THE LORD
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the Passion of the Lord is proclaimed as Christians around the globe mark the beginning of the holiest week of the year.
11:00 a.m. Procession and Solemn Mass: Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.
Members of the Cathedral Basilica and Cantus Angelorum Cathedral Choirs will assist with liturgical music. Blessed palm will be distributed at all Masses. (Mult-box feed available.)
The Anticipated Mass in the Basilica will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 5:15 p.m. Other Mass times include 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 6:30 p.m. in the Basilica, and 1:00 p.m. in Spanish in the Cathedral Chapel. These Masses will not be available via livestream.
CHRISM MASS
Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will be the principal celebrant at the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. Each year, the priests of the Archdiocese are invited to concelebrate this Mass with the Archbishop and to renew their priestly promises.
During this Mass, Archbishop Pérez will bless the Oil of Catechumens as well as the Oil of the Sick and consecrate the Oil of Chrism. These Holy Oils will be used at parishes throughout the Archdiocese during the coming year in the celebration of the Sacraments.
Members of the Cathedral Basilica and Archdiocesan Choirs, along with the Cathedral Instrumentalists, will assist with liturgical music.
SCHEDULE FOR THE SACRED PASCHAL TRIDUUM
April 2, 2026 – April 5, 2026
HOLY THURSDAY MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
April 2nd at 7:30 p.m.
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will be the principal celebrant and homilist. This Mass commemorates the Last Supper, during which Christ instituted the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and the Sacrament of Holy Orders, and gave us His commandment to love one another. After the homily, following the example of Christ who washed the feet of the Apostles at the Last Supper, the Archbishop will wash the feet of 12 people.
Members of the Cathedral Basilica Choir will assist with liturgical music.
Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament will continue from the conclusion of Mass until 11:00 p.m. at the Repository in the Basilica.
Night Prayer at the Repository will be held at 10:45 p.m.
GOOD FRIDAY CELEBRATION OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD
April 3rd at 3:00 p.m.
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will preside and preach at the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, commemorating the Holy Passion and Death of Jesus Christ.
Members of the Cathedral Basilica Choir will assist with liturgical music.
Prior to the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord, the Office of Readings will take place at 12:00 p.m., the Way of the Cross at 1:00 p.m., and a Choral Meditation on the Passion at 2:00 p.m. Confessions will also be heard 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. (No mult-box feed available.)
SPECIAL INTENTION FOR PEACE ON GOOD FRIDAY
In accord with number 13 (In a situation of grave public need, the Diocesan Bishop may permit or order the addition of a special intention.) in the Roman Missal for the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday, Archbishop Perez encourages the use of the following special intention:
For peace in the world, especially in the Middle East and Ukraine:
Let us pray, dearly beloved, for an end to war and military conflict throughout the world, especially in the Middle East and Ukraine, and that God may be pleased to inspire fruitful diplomacy and dialogue, so that peace may be sustained.
Prayer in silence. Then the Priest says:
Almighty ever-living God, you sent your Son to walk among us and to bring your message of peace for every place and for all times. Watch over all those who are overshadowed by military conflicts around the world: protect innocent civilians, guard soldiers in battle, and shelter worshipping communities, so that the voices of diplomacy will silence the weapons of war. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
For the Spanish and sung texts, please see attached PDF.
EASTER VIGIL MASS
April 4th at 8:00 p.m.
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Easter Vigil Mass celebrating the Resurrection of the Lord. The Easter Vigil will include four parts: Service of Light (Blessing of the Fire and preparation of the Paschal Candle), Liturgy of the Word, Baptismal Liturgy, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Members of the Cathedral Basilica Choir will assist with liturgical music, along with the Cathedral instrumentalists.
After a reflective and intense period of prayer during Lent, the Elect (unbaptized Candidates) and Candidates (those who have been baptized in other faiths or baptized a Roman Catholic) will become full members of the Catholic Church at the Cathedral and other parishes throughout the Archdiocese at the Easter Vigil and during Easter Time. In 2026, over 1100 new Catholics will be welcomed into the Church over Easter.
MASS SCHEDULE FOR EASTER SUNDAY OF
THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD
April 5, 2026
EASTER SUNDAY SOLEMN MASS
April 5th at 11:00 a.m.
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will be the principal celebrant and homilist at this Mass on Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord. Members of the Cathedral Basilica Choir will assist with liturgical music, along with the Cathedral instrumentalists.
Mass will also be celebrated at the following times: 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 1:00 p.m. (in English and Spanish) in the Basilica. These Masses will not be available via livestream.
There will be no 6:30 p.m. Mass on Easter Sunday.
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Editor’s Note: All Masses will be streamed live at the links below, unless otherwise noted. The live stream broadcasts are sponsored by the Catholic Charities Appeal.
Vimeo https://vimeo.com/event/2470138
Archbishop Pérez’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez
(A mult-box direct feed is also available for all live streamed events; see Editor’s note below.)
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For Cathedral events a press mult-box with the Program and Clean feeds from the multi-camera system in the Cathedral is available with 1080i SDI embedded audio (BNC), Program audio (XLR) and power access. Crews will need a live truck or recording device.
The mult-box is located on the exterior wall of the Cathedral in the parking lot opposite the loading dock of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center. Crews can enter by the 17th Street entrance. Please note that due to recent renovations in the area a 50-foot cable is recommended for media vehicles.
Please contact Daniel Kearns with any technical concerns regarding streaming or mult-box access at 215-888-0305 (cell). For Masses that have a mult-box feed, reporters and still photographers will be permitted in the Cathedral but are asked to remain in the designated area for the media (by the side pillars). All media are asked to remain clear of the front aisle and center aisle at all times.
For Masses that do not have a mult-box feed, video and still cameras are permitted in the Cathedral, but are asked to remain in the designated area for media (by the side pillars) and to remain clear of the front aisle and center aisle at all times.
About the Catholic Charities Appeal
The Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is the Archdiocese’s largest annual fundraising effort, supporting one in five people each year across a five-county metropolitan region.
In 2026, CCA continues its Giving Hope to All mission by extending Christ’s love through more than 100 ministries and programs that provide food, shelter, education, and care to those most in need. These efforts support Social Services; Special Education; Mission Parishes; Retired and Infirmed Priests; Cultural Ministries; and Life, Family, and Laity programs.
Catholic Church of Philadelphia
ArchPhilly
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Contact: Ellen J. Davidson
Communications Coordinator
215-587-3747 (office)