In respect of, and in cooperation with, government health and safety guidelines related to the coronavirus (COVID-19), Bishop David Zubik is releasing the following details for Holy Week in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.  The directives represent changes in the observances of long-standing, honored traditions in the Catholic Church. 

“Although we will observe Holy Week in a different way, the heart of the sacred week remains intact.  Jesus is bringing people together in new ways to honor the great sacrifice of Jesus in His Passion and Death,” Bishop Zubik said.
 
Liturgies leading up to and including the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday mark the most important week in the Catholic Church. The holiest three days of the year, known as the Triduum, are celebrated from the evening of Holy Thursday through the Easter Vigil.  The focus of Holy Week is a remembrance of the suffering and death of Jesus, leading to a deepened experience of the joy of His Resurrection on Easter. 
 
For this year’s Holy Week in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh: 

• Bishop Zubik will live stream Masses and Prayer Services that people will be able to watch through the diocesan website.  A list of parishes with live stream schedules will also be shared at www.diopitt.org.
• All previous directives will remain in effect to adhere to the current government recommendation of no more than ten people gathered. For this reason, there will be no public celebration of liturgies.
• Churches will not be open during scheduled Masses/liturgies but may remain open at other times for individuals who wish to make a short visit. People should contact their parishes to confirm times. 
• Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020:  Bishop Zubik will celebrate a Mass that will be live streamed at 10 a.m. Priests throughout the diocese will also celebrate private Palm Sunday Masses and bless palms which will be made available for people to pick up at a later date when restrictions are lifted.
• Holy Thursday, April 9, 2020:  Bishop Zubik will celebrate the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, live streamed at 7:00 p.m.  The Washing of the Feet, which is optional, will be omitted from observances this year.
• Good Friday, April 10, 2020:  Bishop Zubik will celebrate Friday of the Passion of the Lord, live streamed at 3:00 p.m.
• Holy Saturday, April 11, 2020: The traditional ecumenical blessing over the City of Pittsburgh is postponed and will be rescheduled once the restrictions are lifted.  There will be no blessing of Easter baskets. Bishop Zubik will celebrate the Easter Vigil, live streamed at 8:30 p.m.
• Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020:  Bishop Zubik will celebrate Holy Mass, live streamed at 10:00 a.m. The annual Blessing of Families at St. Paul Cathedral is cancelled.

“Our commemoration of Holy Week is always meant to reawaken in our hearts the great sacrifice of the Passion and Death of Jesus leading to the exhilarating experience of His Resurrection.  This year, and in light of the unusual sacrifices we have had to make because of COVID-19, it is my hope that we can more deeply cherish the sacrifices Jesus has made for us as we hope to share in His Resurrection when we breathe our last,” Bishop Zubik said.