Bishop Checchio to preside at 2024 Holy Week and Easter Services throughout the Diocese of Metuchen

METUCHEN - The Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA, Bishop of Metuchen, will preside at Holy Week and Easter liturgies and services at the following locations. All are welcome and encouraged to participate.

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Saturday, March 23 (Vigil) 
4:00 p.m. – St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church
244 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ 07001

Sunday, March 24
10:00 a.m. – Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
302 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840

11:30 a.m. - Saints Peter and Paul Church
360 US Highway 46, Great Meadows, NJ 07838

On this day, Catholics celebrate the joyous entrance of Christ into the City of Jerusalem and soon after, we will celebrate His crucifixion and remember He will rise on Easter Day. Palms are blessed at Mass and are available to the faithful.

Chrism Mass 
Tuesday, March 26 
4:00 p.m. – Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi 
32 Elm Ave., Metuchen, NJ 08840

At this Mass, priests from across the four-county diocese will gather in unity with the bishop and make their Renewal of Commitment to Priestly Service. The bishop will bless the oils used for Sacraments, our encounters with Christ, including: anointing of the sick, preparation for those who will receive baptism, confirmation and orders of the priesthood as well as the dedication of sacred altars and new churches. Watch live broadcast via https://diometuchen.org/holyweek

Mass of Our Lord's Supper
Thursday, March 28
7:30 p.m. – Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi
32 Elm Ave., Metuchen, NJ 08840

This Mass commemorates the institution of the sacraments of the Eucharist and Holy Orders and the washing of the feet of the Apostles by Jesus at the Last Supper. It is the beginning of the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter celebrations). Key moments of the liturgy are the washing of the feet and adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament throughout the night. Watch live broadcast via https://diometuchen.org/holyweek

Way of the Cross (Via Cruces) 
with the Catholic Latino Community of Perth Amboy 
Friday, March 29
11:00 a.m. – Sadowski Park
105 Sadowski Pkwy, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861

The faithful, particularly our Latino community, will gather and process through the neighborhood of Perth Amboy to meditate and contemplate the Way of the Cross, which is the way of our life, as followers of Christ.

Solemn Liturgy of the Passion and Death of Our Lord
Friday, March 29
3:00 p.m. – Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi
32 Elm Ave., Metuchen, NJ 08840

On Good Friday, we remember the Passion of the Lord, we adore His Holy Cross and receive Christ in the Eucharist. Watch live broadcast via https://diometuchen.org/holyweek

Blessing of the Easter Food
Saturday, March 30
12:00 p.m – St. John Paul II Parish (St. Stephen Worship Site)
490 State Street, Perth Amboy, NJ

A longstanding Polish tradition is to bring baskets containing a sampling of Easter foods to church to be blessed on Holy Saturday. When the faithful eat the blessed food on Easter Sunday, they recall that Christ is the source of their true nourishment. 

Easter Vigil 
Saturday, March 30
7:30 p.m. – Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi
32 Elm Ave., Metuchen, NJ 08840

The beginning of the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus! Adult catechumens (those preparing for Baptism) will receive the Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist). Those candidates wanting to join the Church are welcomed with the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Eucharist. With our eyes we give witness to the wonder of the resurrection as the newly baptized go into the water and are raised up – dead, buried and risen in Christ. Watch live broadcast via https://diometuchen.org/holyweek

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
Sunday, March 31
10:00 a.m. – Church of St. Matthew the Apostle 
81 Seymour Avenue, Edison, NJ 08817 

Easter, the greatest day of joy and hope in our Christian year, commemorates the Resurrection of Christ from the dead. The Lord is risen! He is risen, indeed! The Easter season lasts 50 days, through the Solemnity of the Pentecost