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Holy Week

Holy Week is the most sacred time in the Christian calendar, commemorating the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It begins on Palm Sunday and ends with Easter Sunday, marking the culmination of Lent and leading into the joyous celebration of Christ’s resurrection.

The Key Days of Holy Week

Palm Sunday

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, which recalls Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Crowds welcomed Him, waving palm branches and shouting, "Hosanna!" The liturgy of the day includes the blessing of palms and a reading of the Passion narrative, setting the tone for the days ahead.

Holy Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday

These days focus on Jesus’ final teachings and confrontations with religious leaders. Holy Wednesday is sometimes called Spy Wednesday, remembering Judas' betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday)

This day marks the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Eucharist and washed the feet of His disciples as a sign of humble service. The evening liturgy includes the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, followed by the solemn stripping of the altar, symbolizing Christ’s impending suffering.

Good Friday

A day of deep sorrow and reflection, Good Friday commemorates Jesus’ crucifixion and death. The Church observes this day with the Solemn Liturgy of the Passion, including the reading of the Passion, veneration of the Cross, and reception of Holy Communion. It is a day of fasting and abstinence, as the faithful meditate on Christ’s sacrifice.

Holy Saturday & The Easter Vigil

Holy Saturday is a quiet day of waiting, remembering Jesus' time in the tomb. The night brings the Easter Vigil, the most solemn and beautiful liturgy of the year. It begins in darkness, symbolizing the world in sin, and then light spreads as the Paschal Candle is lit, representing Christ’s resurrection. The Vigil includes the Exsultet (Easter Proclamation), readings from salvation history, and the celebration of Baptism and the Eucharist.

Easter Sunday – The Resurrection of the Lord

Holy Week reaches its glorious climax with Easter Sunday, celebrating Jesus' victory over sin and death. The resurrection is the foundation of the Christian faith, bringing hope and new life to all believers. Churches rejoice with the proclamation, "Alleluia! Christ is risen!"

The Meaning of Holy Week

Holy Week is a time for prayer, reflection, and deep participation in the mystery of salvation. Through these liturgies, Christians journey with Christ from suffering to glory, renewing their faith in His love and the promise of eternal life.

Crucifixion Traditional Compressed

Holy Week Timetable

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LENTEN RECONCILATION

Lenten Reconcilation

TUESDAY 17 MARCH

  • Fairy Meadow after 9.30am Mass

FRIDAY 20 MARCH

  • Wollongong 11am – 12pm

SATURDAY 21 MARCH

  • Gwynneville 4.30pm – 5.15pm

SUNDAY 22 MARCH

  • Balgownie after 10am Mass

Wollongong: Reconciliation available every Wednesday & Friday 11.30am – 12pm & Saturday 11am – 12pm

THE GREAT WEEK

The Great Week

28 MARCH | PALM SUNDAY VIGIL

  • Gwynneville 5.30pm Palm Sunday Vigil

29 MARCH | PALM SUNDAY

  • Wollongong 7am, 10.30am & 5pm
  • Gwynneville 9am
  • Fairy Meadow 8.30am
  • Balgownie 10am

30 MARCH | MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK

  • Wollongong 7am Mass

31 MARCH | TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

  • Wollongong 7am Mass
  • Fairy Meadow 9.30am Mass

31 MARCH | THE CHRISM MASS

  • Wollongong 7pm

1 APRIL | WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

  • Wollongong 7am Mass
  • Wollongong 11.30am Reconciliation & 12.10pm Mass

SACRED PASCHAL TRIDUUM

The Sacred Paschal Triduum

2 APRIL | MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
No Morning Masses
Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

  • Fairy Meadow 6pm (Adoration until 7.30pm)
  • Wollongong 7pm (Adoration until 8.30pm)

3 APRIL | GOOD FRIDAY, STATIONS OF THE CROSS

  • Wollongong (Grassed Area) 10am, Stations of the Cross
    (Reconciliation available after the Stations of the Cross)

3 APRIL | GOOD FRIDAY, THE PASSION OF THE LORD

  • Wollongong 3pm, The Passion of the Lord
    (Reconciliation available after the Passion)

  • Fairy Meadow 3pm, The Passion of the Lord
    (Reconciliation available after the Passion)

4 APRIL (MORNING) | HOLY SATURDAY

  • Wollongong 11am—12pm Reconciliation

4 APRIL EVENING| EASTER VIGIL

  • No Vigil Mass at Gwynneville
  • Wollongong 7pm Easter Vigil
  • Fairy Meadow 6pm Easter Vigil

5 APRIL | EASTER SUNDAY

  • Wollongong 7am, 10.30am & 5pm
  • Gwynneville 9am
  • Fairy Meadow 8.30am
  • Balgownie 10am