Pope plans full liturgical schedule for Holy Week, Easter

(January 27, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI will be presiding at all of the regular liturgical ceremonies for Holy Week and Easter this year. The Vatican on Tuesday released the Pope’s schedule of public liturgical celebrations for lent and Easter Week. On March 9, Ash Wednesday, the Pope will lead the traditional penitential procession from the basilica of St. Anselmo to that of Santa Sabina, presiding at the imposition of ashes at the latter. On March 13, the 1st Sunday of Lent, the Pope and the leaders of the Roman Curia will join in the annual Lenten Retreat, held at the Redemptoris Mater chapel in the apostolic palace. There will be no papal audiences during that week. On March 20, the 2nd Sunday of Lent, the Pope will preside at the dedication of a new parish in Rome, the parish of San Corbiniano all’Infernetto. On April 17, Palm Sunday, he will preside at the blessing of the Palms, procession, and Mass, including the reading of the Passion in St. Peter’s Square. On April 21, Holy Thursday, he will preside at the Chrism Mass in the morning at the Vatican basilica and then open the Easter Triduum with the Mass of the Last Supper in the evening at the basilica of St. John Lateran. On April 22, Good Friday, he will lead the Commemoration of the Passion in the Vatican basilica in the afternoon, followed by the Stations of the Cross at the Roman Coliseum that evening. On Holy Saturday evening, April 23, he will lead the Easter Vigil, also in the Vatican Basilica. On Easter Sunday, April 24, the Pontiff will preside at Mass in St. Peter’s Square, followed by the Urbi et Orbi blessing, delivered from the loggia of the Basilica.