In Lourdes, as in all Catholic churches, Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, includes Maundy Thursday, celebrating the Lord’s Supper, and Good Friday, with the Office of the Passion. It ends with the Easter Vigil, during the night of Holy Saturday to Easter Sunday. The Easter Vigil brings together, through its rites, all the elements of the Easter message.
What is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week, which ends with Easter Sunday. Christians celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover. The religious celebration is marked by the blessing of the palm branches, still green and a sign of life, and by the reading of the text of Jesus’ Passion.
Palm Sunday 24th March
Programme
10.00am: Blessing of the palm branches in front of the Rosary Basilica, followed by international Mass at the Basilica of Saint Pius X – Live on TV Lourdes and the “Prier avec Lourdes” mobile app
3.00pm: Rosary at the Grotto – Live on TV Lourdes and the “Prier avec Lourdes” mobile app
8.30pm: Rosary by torchlight
Maundy Thursday - The Last Supper
A few days later, Jesus had a last meal with the twelve Apostles in the room known as the “Upper Room”. He instituted the Eucharist when he voiced the words, “Take, eat; this is my body” (Mt 26:26) as he shared the bread. Then, as he gave them the cup of wine, he said, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
During this meal, Jesus also knelt before each of his disciples and washed their feet. He took on the garb of a servant and said, “For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you” (Jn. 13:15). During a solemn Mass, the gesture of washing the feet is repeated as a sign of forgiveness and service. Jesus invites us to follow him by doing good in the service of others.
Programme
8.30am: Office of Tenebrae, Rosary Basilica
3.00pm: Rosary at the Grotto – Live on TV Lourdes and the “Prier avec Lourdes” mobile app
8.30pm: Lord’s Supper at the Basilica of Saint Pius X – Live on TV Lourdes and the “Prier avec Lourdes” mobile app
10pm: Eucharistic Adoration at the Rosary Basilica
Good Friday - The Passion
Christians are called to fast (which consists of going without food, depending on the person’s age and fitness), a process of penance and conversion, an expression of waiting for Christ. The office of Good Friday, known as the “celebration of the Lord’s Passion”, is centred on the proclamation of the Passion narrative. The faithful take part in the Stations of the Cross that follow the stages of Christ’s Passion.
Programme
8:30am: Office of Tenebrae, Rosary Basilica
3.00pm: Rosary at the Grotto – Live on TV Lourdes and the “Prier avec Lourdes” mobile app
4.00pm: Stations of the Cross on the esplanade – Live on TV Lourdes and the “Prier avec Lourdes” mobile app
8.30pm: Office of Christ’s Passion, Basilica of Saint Pius X – Live on TV Lourdes and the “Prier avec Lourdes” mobile app
Holy Saturday - Easter Vigil
On Holy Saturday, the Church remains at the tomb of her Lord. She meditates on Christ’s passion and death, as well as his descent into hell, while awaiting his resurrection with fasting and prayer.
The Church spends this great Sabbath close to Mary, meditating on the sufferings of Christ, his death and his burial, in invincible hope.
The celebration of the night of Holy Saturday to Easter Sunday is “a vigil in honour of the Lord” during which Catholics celebrate Easter, the passage from darkness to light, Christ’s victory over death. This is why, during the night, the fire and the Easter candle are lit, and then the flame is passed on to the faithful.
Programme
8.30am: Office of Tenebrae, Rosary Basilica
3.00pm: Rosary at the Grotto – Live on TV Lourdes and the “Prier avec Lourdes” mobile app
8.30pm: Blessing of the new fire on Rosary square followed by the Easter Vigil at the Basilica of Saint Pius X – Live on TV Lourdes and the “Prier avec Lourdes” mobile app
Easter Sunday - The Resurrection of Christ
In the morning, some women and then a few disciples went to the tomb to prepare and clean Jesus’ body. But the tomb was empty, Jesus was no longer there, he had risen! Mary Magdalene and then the disciples saw the risen Jesus in different places.
Easter is at the heart of Christian faith and hope. Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the fulfilment of the Old Testament promises and confirms Jesus’ divinity.
There are two aspects to the Paschal Mystery: through his death, he freed humanity from sin; through his resurrection, he opened the door to a new life.
PROGRAMME
9:30 am: International Mass at the Basilica of Saint Pius X – Live on TV Lourdes and the “Prier avec Lourdes” mobile app
3.00 pm: Rosary at the Grotto – Live on TV Lourdes and the “Prier avec Lourdes” mobile app
5.00 pm: Procession of the Blessed Sacrament and blessing of the sick – Live on TV Lourdes and the “Prier avec Lourdes” mobile app
9:00 pm: Torchlight procession – Live on TV Lourdes and the “Prier avec Lourdes” mobile app
