PALM SUNDAY - March 24, 2002 - 10:45 a.m.
Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
In celebration of the Lord's entrance into Jerusalem, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua will
bless the palms to be distributed to the faithful. Following the blessing of the palms, the Cardinal will be the celebrant and homilist at the Mass of Passion (Palm) Sunday.

HOLY THURSDAY CHRISM MASS -March 28, 2002 - 9:40 a.m. Procession - 10:00 a.m. Mass
Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua will be the main celebrant and homilist at the Holy Thursday Chrism Mass, which commemorates the day on which the priesthood was established. In observance of this occasion, more than 500 priests of the Archdiocese are expected to attend this Mass and Cardinal Bevilacqua will lead the priests in renewing their ordination vows.

During the Mass, Cardinal Bevilacqua will bless the three oils used in the Sacraments: the Oil of Catechumens, used in Baptism; the Oil of the Sick, used in anointing of the sick; and Chrism Oil, used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders.

*Editor's Note: At the Chrism Mass video cameras are not allowed in cathedral. Reporters and still cameras are allowed. A mult box simulcast feed will be available for both video and audio purposes. A bnc connector and a recording deck are required. Staff from the Archdiocesan Office for Communications will be available to assist media.


HOLY THURSDAY MASS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER - March 28, 2002 - 5:00 P.M.
Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua will be the main celebrant and homilist. This mass commemorates the Last Supper, during which Christ instituted the sacrament of Holy Eucharist. After the homily, following the example of Christ who washed the feet of the apostles at the Last Supper, the Cardinal will wash the feet of twelve seminarians from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.


GOOD FRIDAY - March 29, 2002 - 3:00 P.M.
Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua is the celebrant and homilist at the Solemn Liturgy of the Passion and Death of Christ.

St. John the Evangelist Church, 13th Street between Market and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia - 3:00 P.M.
"The Way of the Cross" - a special dramatic presentation of "Via Crucis" (The Way of the Cross). Under the direction of Dr. Annette DiMedio, students from the University of the Arts will perform this dramatic presentation based on the musical score, Via Crucis, composed by Franz Liszt.

HOLY SATURDAY - March 30, 2002 - 8:00 P.M.
Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua is the celebrant and homilist at the Easter Vigil Mass. The special ceremonies that take place during this Mass are all related to the Resurrection. The ceremonies include: the Blessing of the Fire, the lighting of the Paschal Candle, and the Blessing of the Easter Water.

EASTER SUNDAY - March 31, 2002 - 9:30 A.M.
Holy Innocents Church, "L" Street and Hunting Park Avenue, Philadelphia
Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua will be the celebrant and homilist at the Mass of the Resurrection.