Yay, we did it, Notre Damers! We made it to Easter Break and get a few days off to spend with family, friends, delicious food and candy, or simply away from school work!
However, given that Spring Break fell only two weeks before Holy Week and Easter Break this year, or simply because Easter Break only lasts one weekend, many of us likely have to spend our Easters in South Bend this year.
This is not a bad thing, though! Even though we don’t necessarily get to spend Easter with our families or surrounded by home-cooked food, we do get to attend all the services provided at the gorgeous beyond gorgeous Basilica of the Sacred Heart! Here’s a quick guide to all the things programmed for the Holy Triduum (Thurs-Sat) and Easter Sunday, the most important days out of the year for the Catholic Church!
Holy Thursday, March 24:
5 p.m. Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
6:30 – 11 p.m. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Lady Chapel
7 – 8 p.m. Confession
11 p.m. Tenebrae (w/ Liturcigal Choir)
Good Friday, March 25:
9 a.m. Morning Prayer
10:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Confession
Noon – 3 p.m. Silent Hours of Prayer
3 p.m. Celebration of the Lord’s Passion (w/ Liturgical Choir)
7 – 8 p.m. Confession
7:15 p.m. Stations of the Cross
I strongly recommend attending the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion; I went last year, and it was an incredible, powerful service with extremely beatuiful music! I heard a little bit of what the Liturgical Choir will be singing this year, and it was unbelievable!! If you have time, definitely consider attending!
Holy Saturday, March 26:
9 a.m. Morning Prayer
Noon – 1 p.m. Confession
3 – 5 p.m. Confession
9 p.m. The Paschal Vigil Mass (w/ Liturcigal Choir)
If you’ve never been to an Easter Vigil, it is truly a life-changing experience!! Even though it’s very long, you get to see new members welcomed into the church, and the service itself is a beautiful and profound event. I’ve never attended the Vigil at Notre Dame, but I’ve heard really, REALLY good things!
Easter Sunday, March 27:
8 a.m., 10 a.m.(Liturgical Choir) and 12 p.m Easter Mass
7:15 p.m. Solemn Easter Vespers (w/ Liturgical Choir)
9 p.m. Student Mass (w/ Folk Choir)
The Easter Masses at Notre Dame are incredible to witness, as the Basilica is completely decked out, and there is so much sheer joy that can be felt in the service! However, if you want to skip the crowd, I highly recommend attending the student Mass at night because it’s only for Notre Dame students. I went to this one last year, and it was awesome, especially since I was able to sit in a pew for the service!
Even if you are not Catholic or Christian, I encourage attending one of these services, especially if you are looking for something to do during the weekend, either to see what it’s like or just to hear the angelic voices of the Liturgical Choir and Folk Choir at Notre Dame!
Happy Holy Week and Easter, Notre Dame! Enjoy a well-deserved break from your studies!
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