We invite you to join the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia as we begin Holy Week for our commemoration of Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion.

Saturday, April 12, 2025 | 5:00 p.m. | Saturday Vigil Mass with Solemn Procession

Sunday, April 13, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. | Sunday Mass with Solemn Procession

Palms will be distributed at both Masses. Please also note that both our 5:00 p.m. Vigil Mass and our 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass will begin in the plaza outside the Cascia Center (or inside the Upper Shrine vestibule if it is raining). We will then process together into the Shrine, utilizing the side doors, front doors, and elevator. If you would prefer to stay in the church and not be a part of the procession, you will still be able to hear the Gospel reading and opening prayer, but you will not see the procession until it reaches the Shrine.

Saint Rita, keep praying for us!

Thursday, April 17, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

We invite you to join the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia as we begin the Sacred Paschal Triduum on Holy Thursday with our commemoration of the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

With this Mass, celebrated in the evening of the Thursday in Holy Week, the Church begins the sacred Easter Triduum and devotes herself to the remembrance of the Last Supper. At the supper on the night he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus, loving those who were his own in the world even to the end, offered his Body and Blood to the Father under the appearance of bread and wine, gave them to the apostles to eat and drink, then enjoined the apostles and their successors in the priesthood to offer them in turn.

This Mass is, first of all, the memorial of the institution of the Eucharist, that is, of the Memorial of the Lord's Passover, by which under sacramental signs he perpetuated among us the sacrifice of the New Law. The Mass of the Lord's Supper is also the memorial of the institution of the priesthood, by which Christ's mission and sacrifice are perpetuated in the world. In addition, this Mass is the memorial of that love by which the Lord loved us even to death. To learn more, visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s website.

**The Shrine’s altar of repose will be available in the Cascia Center for private prayer and solemn adoration until 11:00 p.m.

Friday, April 18, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion

We invite you to join the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia on Good Friday for our commemoration of the Lord’s Passion.

On Good Friday, the entire Church fixes her gaze on the Cross at Calvary. Each member of the Church tries to understand at what cost Christ has won our redemption. In the solemn ceremonies of Good Friday, in the Adoration of the Cross, in the chanting of the 'Reproaches,' in the reading of the Passion, and in receiving the pre-consecrated Host, we unite ourselves to our Savior, and we contemplate our own death to sin in the Death of our Lord. To learn more about Good Friday, visit this article by Catholic News Agency.

Saturday, April 19, 2025 | 8:00 p.m.
Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

We invite you to join the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia on Holy Saturday for our celebration of the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter.

On this holy night, the Church keeps watch, celebrating the resurrection of Christ in the sacraments and awaiting his return in glory. It is the turning point of the Triduum, the Passover of the new covenant, which marks Christ's passage from death to life. Therefore, the Easter Vigil does not correspond to the usual Saturday evening Mass and its character is unique in the cycle of the liturgical year. To learn more, visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s website.

**The Easter Vigil Mass will begin in the Cascia Center plaza at 8:00 p.m.