Holy Week and Easter

Faithful process by candlelight from Sacred Heart, Bethlehem to lead Father Robert George and the Blessed Sacrament to a Holy Hour to continue adoration after Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, March 29.

Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert, second from right, lights the paschal candle during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, March 31 at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown. Assisting him in lighting the new fire, symbolizing eternal life in Christ, are from left, Deacon Robert Snyder and master of ceremonies Monsignor Victor Finelli. (Photos by John Simitz) — Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert, second from right, lights the paschal candle during
the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, March 31 at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown.
Assisting him in lighting the new fire,symbolizing eternal life in Christ,are from left,
Deacon Robert Snyder and master of ceremonies Monsignor Victor Finelli. (Photos by John Simitz)

Click on any photo except the one above to browse through all the pictures in the gallery.

Heather Spencer, right, shows her children Cole, center, and Lilah a palm leaf before Palm Sunday Mass March 25 at St. Francis de Sales, Robesonia.

Father Edward Essig, pastor of St. Francis de Sales, Robesonia, blesses palms to be distributed to the faithful on Palm Sunday. The feast commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem the week before his passion and crucifixion.

The choir at St. Francis de Sales sings a hymn during Mass on Palm Sunday.

Faithful depart from St. Francis de Sales after observing Palm Sunday.

Members of the faithful carry palms after Palm Sunday Mass. The Gospels attest that as Jesus entered the city, crowds lay down palm branches and cloaks as he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.

James Ludwig, center, admires a palm leaf held by his mother Megan Ludwig, along with his father Ryan Ludwig after observing the final Sunday of Lent and marking the beginning of Holy Week.

Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert, left, creates the Holy Oils March 29 by mixing oil from the balsam plant with olive oil before breathing on the mixed oil to signify the presence of the Holy Spirit, at the Diocesan Chrism Mass March 28 at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown

Priests for the Diocese of Allentown join together at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown for the Chrism Mass. This Mass manifests the unity of the priests with the Bishop and calls for priests to renew their commitment to serve Christ and his Church by professing the promises they made at their ordinations to the priesthood.

Faithful and students from Diocesan schools pray together at the Chrism Mass, solidifying the bond of unity among the Bishop, priests, the sacraments and the people who receive them.

Diocesan seminarians process into the cathedral for the Chrism Mass, a service that was restored in 1967 and dates back to the early 200s.

Deacon Gerald Schmidt, assigned to St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Hellertown, carries the Book of Gospels during the procession into the cathedral.

Diocesan priests process into the cathedral for the Chrism Mass, where they renew their promise to serve the Lord and his Church and unite themselves more closely to Christ in the service of their people.

Diocesan priests enter the cathedral March 28 to celebrate the Chrism Mass.

Diocesan seminarians who received the Call to Orders at the Chrism Mass are, from left, Giuseppe Esposito, Zachary Wehr, John Maria, and Deacon John Hutta.

Bishop Schlert prepares three oils – the oil of catechumens, the oil of the sick and holy chrism – that will be used in the administration of the sacraments throughout the Diocese for the year.

Seminarians, priests and deacons participate in the recessional after the Chrism Mass celebrated at the cathedral.

Father Robert George, pastor of Sacred Heart, Bethlehem, celebrates the Mass of the Lord’s Supper March 29 before a veiled ciborium, an altar vessel that holds the consecrated host of the Blessed Sacrament. The Mass inaugurates the Easter Triduum that begins with Jesus’ last supper with his disciples

Deacon Hugh Carlin accepts the Oil of the Sick from Jane Magdasy during Reception of the Holy Oils on Holy Thursday at Sacred Heart, Bethlehem. Parishioners also presented Holy Chrism Oil and Oil of the Catechumens that were prepared and transported from the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown.

Father George washes the feet of parishioners during Holy Thursday service. The ritual recalls Jesus, the Son of God, washing the feet of his disciples, symbolizing that he came to serve others and reminds the faithful they are also called to serve others.

Youth from the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown visit St. Stephen of Hungary, Allentown and meditate before statues, crucifixes and saint images veiled in purple cloth. The custom of veiling religious images symbolizes sadness and mourning.

Faithful engage in prayer while visiting the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown as one the church visitations on Holy Thursday, March 29.

The youth groups from Notre Dame of Bethlehem and Queenship of Mary, Northampton exit their visitation to the cathedral and head to another Diocesan church after Holy Thursday services.

A woman spends time with the Blessed Sacrament resting on the Altar of Repose at Immaculate Conception BVM, Allentown after Holy Thursday services. The special altar is for the Communion hosts consecrated during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and reserved for use on Good Friday.

Father Joseph Whalen, right, pastor of St. Richard, Barnesville, leads the Celebration of Christ’s Passion on Good Friday, March 30. Assisting at the service is Deacon John Setlock, left.

Deacon John Setlock processes into St. Richard carrying the crucified Christ as the faithful stand in silence to begin Good Friday service.

A girl adores Christ by kissing him and the cross he was crucified on.

Father Joseph Whalen, pastor of St. Richard, Barnesville, center, and Deacon John Setlock, left, participate in the Good Friday service, March 30 with the altar cross as the focal point for meditation of Christ’s death at Calvary.

Faithful pray under candle light during the Service of Light at the Easter Vigil at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown.

Monsignor Francis Schoenauer, pastor of the cathedral, blesses the faithful as they renew their baptismal promises during the Liturgy of Baptism at the Easter Vigil.

Bishop Schlert immerses the paschal candle in holy water after placing five grains of incense into the candle.

Bishop Schlert welcomes new members of the faith to the Easter Vigil at the cathedral.

Jarlenis Solano Maza receives the Sacrament of Baptism.

Angelina Funes, left, and Karlenis Solano Maza participate in the Liturgy of Baptism during the Easter Vigil.

Noah McClain is anointed with Holy Chrism while receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.