Diocesan Offices
St Eugene’s Cathedral
Francis Street, Derry
BT48 9AP | Tel: 028 7126 2302
St Eugene’s Cathedral
Francis Street, Derry
BT48 9AP | Tel: 028 7126 2302
Holy Week - Prayer at Home
We invite you to download, engage with and share the following resources for Holy Week and Easter.
Bishop Donal invites you to engage in this Sacred Week
"This is the beginning of an intense week. We move on a page-turning journey from 'Hosanna' today to 'Alleluia' next Sunday via 'Crucify him' on Friday. We have all the elements of an epic struggle. The insignificant figure from the country challenges the urban establishment and apparently loses. And yet, there is a twist to the story that was foretold but which no-one took seriously because it didn't seem to make sense". View Bishop Donal's message below.
The Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross or the Way of the Cross, refers to a series of images depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion and accompanying prayers. Every church commonly display the 14 stations around the walls inside the church.
A series of 14 images will be arranged in numbered order along a path and the faithful travel from image to image, in order, stopping at each station to say the selected prayers and reflections.
The Stations of the Cross are typically practiced each Friday during the Lent and on Good Friday, but can be performed any time of year at home or in church.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS PRAYERS
Opening Prayer:
ACT OF CONTRITION
O my God, my Redeemer, behold me here at Thy feet. From the bottom of my heart I am sorry for all my sins, because by them I have offended Thee, Who art infinitely good. I will die rather than offend thee again.
Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.
All: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Reflect on the scene.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Download our guide to help you.
Each station follows the following scenes:
- Jesus is condemned to death
- Jesus takes up his Cross
- Jesus falls for the first time
- Jesus meets his Mother
- Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the Cross
- Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
- Jesus falls for the second time
- Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
- Jesus falls for the third time
- Jesus is stripped of his garments (sometimes called the "Division of Robes")
- Jesus is nailed to the Cross
- Jesus dies on the Cross
- Jesus is taken down from the Cross
- Jesus is laid in the tomb
Holy Week and Easter liturgies on RTÉ
RTE broadcast a Mass or a Service at 11am every Sunday morning on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra. You can listen here.
Most viewers in the Republic of Ireland can also receive Radio 1 Extra via their television sets on Saorview Channel 201 and Virgin channel 920/940. You can also listen back via the RTÉ Radio Player
Nearly all of our radio Worship programmes on this station are shared with RTÉ One television, so viewers throughout Ireland can also watch our Masses and Services there or on the RTÉ Player. Start times vary slightly between 11.00am and 11.10am.
There is also Mass in Irish, every week at 11.00am, on Raidio na Gaeltachta (93-95 Mhz).
Holy Week and Easter on FORMED.org
FORMED provides the very best Catholic content from more than 60 organizations to help parishes, families and individuals explore their faith anywhere. Supporting thousands of movies, children's programs, ebooks, audio, parish programs and studies direct to your browser, mobile or connected device.
If your parish is in the Diocese of Derry and has a parish subcription you only need to search for your parish on FORMED and enter your email address to access everything.
If your parish is not listed, you can sign up for free 7 day subscription. Why not do so for Easter? If you like it make sure to tell you parish priest who can register your parish.
Easter Special on FORMED
Triduum: A Spiritual Pilgrimage
FORMED are offering Triduum: A Spiritual Pilgrimage for free to everyone for Holy Week. This contemplative documentary cinematically walks through the locations of Holy Week and re-presents the most important days of human history.
Triduum: A Spiritual Pilgrimage is a beautiful, 30 minute contemplative documentary. Immersed in the real and sacred places of the Holy Land, the pilgrim faithful is brought tangibly nearer to the story, the landscape, and the reality of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Triduum draws Catholics and those with open hearts and minds to experience a deeper understanding of these events and places, and offers rich meditations for the pilgrimage of daily life. Now more than ever, as many of us are confined to our homes, journey along this spiritual pilgrimage and be drawn more deeply into the life and love of God.
Holy Week and Easter prayers and activities from the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre
The Catechetical Centre is responsible for catechesis in the Diocese of Derry. The centre provides faith formation and religious education support to Catholic schools, parishes and families.
For Holy Week and Easter the centre has variety of resources for prayer, projects and activities the whole family can engage in at home including;
Stations of the Cross – Monasterevin Parish Church
A special recording of the Stations of the Cross from Monasterevin Parish Church for Holy Week 2021.
Holy Week and Easter prayers and activities from World Missions Ireland
World Missions Ireland have prepared to use with children during Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. The resources are for use at home, in school (remote learning), or in the parish (online). All of the resources are in black and white for ease of printing.
Bringing Holy Week Home
This resource was created by the dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin, Clonfert and Elphin who have kindly shared them.
They include a note for each day with a Scripture focus, some things to look out for if you are joining in a live broadcast of a liturgy, a short prayer ritual for each day, as well as some 'to do' suggestions.
Live broadcasts of all Holy Week Liturgies will be from your parish church. The list of parishes with live broadcasts can be viewed at here on this diocese website
Holy Week and Easter on Shalom World TV
Follow live broadcasts throughout Holy Week on Shalom World TV, the Catholic family entertainment channel.
Thursday, 1 April 2021 | Holy Thursday
LIVE from the Vatican:
Chrism Mass
8:55AM
LIVE from the Vatican:
Mass of the Lord's Supper
4:55AM
Friday, 2 April 2021 | Good Friday
LIVE from the Vatican:
Way of the Cross (Via Crucis)
7:55 PM
Holy Week and Easter online in our parishes in the diocese
Parishes in the Diocese of Derry will be providing live-streams of Mass and other services over the internet throughout Holy Week, helping those confined to home or care facilities, and those living away from home, to keep in touch with their parish and continue to be part of the local community.
Holy Week and Easter from Knock Shrine
Invitation from Knock Shrine: Join us online for Holy Week ceremonies, live from Knock Shrine.
Thursday, 1 April 2021
10.00am: Morning Prayer
7.30pm: Mass of the Lord's Supper
Friday, 2 April 2021 | Good Friday
10.00am : Morning Prayer
12.00pm: Stations of the Cross
3.00pm: The Passion of Our Lord
The service will be broadcast Live at 3pm on RTÉ TV & Radio and on www.knockshrine.ie/watch-live
7.30pm: Stations of the Cross
Saturday, 3 April 2021
10.00am: Morning Prayer
10.30am: Blessing of Bread for the Polish community
10.40pm: Easter Vigil Mass
Broadcast Live at 10.40pm on RTÉ TV & Radio and on www.knockshrine.ie/watch-live
Sunday, 4 April 2021
Easter Sunday Mass 12.00 Noon & 7.30pm (with Rosary at 7.00pm)
Pope Francis' schedule of events for Holy Week and Easter 2021
The Holy Father will celebrate the Holy Week rites at the Altar of the Cathedra, in Saint Peter's Basilica.
Thursday, 1 April 2021
Holy Chrism Mass - at 10:00
Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper - at 18:00
Friday, 2 April 2021 | Good Friday
Passion of the Lord - at 18:00
Way of the Cross - at 21:00
Saturday, 3 April 2021
Easter Vigil - at 19:30
Sunday, 4 April 2021
Easter Sunday - Resurrection of the Lord
Holy Mass - at 10:00
Urbi et Orbi - at 12:00
At the end of Holy Mass, the Holy Father will impart the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing.
EWTN - From Rome to your Home
Eternal Word Television Network is a Catholic television station which broadcasts from across the world, including daily Mass.
During Holy Week, you can watch all the main liturgical events from Rome with EWTN. View the Holy Week broadcasting schedule at EWTN
