​Here you will find all the information about our Holy Week and Easter celebrations.

As we journey through the most Holy Week of our liturgical year, I encourage you and your families to join our Triduum celebrations: Holy Thursday---the gifts of the Eucharist and of priesthood; Good Friday ---the Way of the Cross and the veneration of the Cross; Easter Vigil and Easter---the Sacraments of the initiation and the resurrection of our Lord. The celebration of the Paschal mystery of the Lord's death and resurrection starts on Holy Thursday and
completes on Easter. ~ (Pastor) Father Li

​What to wear?
Generally, you will find people wearing casual clothes and some wearing suits and dresses.  As Easter is a special time of year, you may find most people do "spiffy up" for the special occasion.  Some event may have an outdoor component so plan accordingly to weather.

Palm Sunday - March 24, 2024
​St. Barbara Church at 2859 S. Throop Street Directions & Parking Info
5:30 AM (Rosary), 6 AM Mass, 9:30 AM Mass

St. Therese Church at 218 W. Alexander Street​ Directions & Parking Info
8 AM Mass, 9:15 AM (Student Production) Living Stations of the Cross
10:30 AM Mass and 12:30 PM Mandarin Mass & Faith Sharing
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Also called "Passion Sunday" is the beginning of Holy Week.  It commemorates Jesus's entrance on a donkey into Jerusalem welcomed by people waving palms.  
Celebration begins with a gathering outdoors, in the prayer garden or in the back of the church for the blessing of the palms.  Palms are passed out to everyone and then there is a procession back into church and to their seats.

On this day, the Living Stations of the Cross is also performed by the students of the parish school, St. Therese Chinese Catholic School.

Holy Thursday - March 28, 2024


Holy Thursday, also called Maundy Thursday, is the first day of the Paschal Triduum and ends the Lenten season.  Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ's Paschal Mystery.  On Holy Thursday, we commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus.  This was when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, teaching them that to serve others sacrificially.  The Last Supper is also considered to be the First Mass as Jesus instituted the Eucharist.  

​St. Barbara Church at 2859 S. Throop Street​ Directions & Parking Info
7 PM Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper 
(Pastor) Father Li will wash the feet of 12 people.  There will be the presentation of the oils at the beginning of Mass.  The Holy Communion will be transferred to the side of the altar at the end of Mass. 

After the Mass, at 8:45 PM, the Visitation of the 7 Churches will begin.  Anyone (any age) interested can join this unique pilgrimage tradition!  Pilgrimage Guide will be distributed at the start.  We drive together in separate cars and meet up at the churches to view the inside and pray together for about 15 minutes each.  Those who cannot drive can ride in the school bus (space is limited) and suggested donation is $10/person - please contact [email protected] to save a seat.  The bus will return back to St. Barbara Church at the end, estimated time is 12:15 AM (next day, March 29).  
Church Name and link to Google Maps                                                   
​St. Barbara Church 2859 S. Throop St. , Chicago, IL
St. Martha and All Saints Church 8523 Georgiana Ave., Morton Grove, IL
St. John Brebeuf Church 8307 N Harlem Ave., Niles, IL
St. Mary of the Woods Church 6955 N Hiawatha Ave., Chicago, IL
Queen of All Saints Basilica 6280 N Sauganash Ave., Chicago, IL
Blessed Carlo Acutis 2226 N Hoyne Ave., Chicago, IL
St. Mary of the Angels 1850 N Hermitage Ave., Chicago, IL
Arrival
7:00 PM
9:20 PM
9:45 PM 
10:10 PM
10:35 PM
11:05 PM
11:25 PM
Depart
8:45 PM
9:35 PM
10:00 PM 
10:25 PM
10:50 PM
11:20 PM
11:40 PM

Good Friday - March 29, 2024
On Good Friday, we commemorate the crucifixion and death of our Lord.  A day of sorrow yet it is called "good" as we know this day leads to Easter.  It is the essence of sacrificial love.  
​
St. Barbara Church at 2859 S. Throop Street Directions & Parking Info
3 PM Stations of the Cross
​7 PM Veneration of the Cross and Communion Service

​The congregation approaches the altar to pay respect to the cross through a kiss, a touch, or a taking of the knee.  There is no Mass as the priests do not consecrate the bread into Eucharist.  The Communion passed out was consecrated on Holy Thursday.  This is why the Holy Communion was transferred to the side of the altar at the end of Holy Thursday Mass. 
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(There will be a collection for the Holy Land).

Holy Saturday - March 30, 2024


St. Barbara Church at 2859 S. Throop Street Directions & Parking Info
10 AM Decoration of the church
11:30 AM Święconka Easter Basket Blessing - bring your baskets and your family to this sweet (and savory!) family tradition of ours.

St. Therese Church at 218 W. Alexander Street​ Directions & Parking Info
10 AM Decoration of the church
10 AM OCIA Rehearsal
7:30 PM Easter Vigil Mass

Easter Vigil commemorates the last day of Jesus's death.  "He descended into Hell" as the Apostles' Creed.  This was when Jesus's harrowing of hell and releasing the good souls who died before him.  When He rise on Easter, all the good souls rise with him!  He is our Savior! New Elects receive he sacrament of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation.

Easter Sunday  - March 31, 2024
​
​On Easter Sunday we celebrate that "Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures". 
​
​St. Barbara Church at 2859 S. Throop Street Directions & Parking Info
5:30 AM (Rosary), 6 AM Mass, 9:30 AM Mass

St. Therese Church at 218 W. Alexander Street​ Directions & Parking Info
8 AM Mass and 10:30 AM Mass
11:30 AM - 12 PM Easter Egg Hunt - Kids, bring your baskets!
12 PM Breakfast with Easter Bunny ($5/person suggested donation)