Holy Week continues its tradition of fostering prayer and community on campus with services and gatherings planned to commemorate Christ's final days ahead of Easter Sunday on April 20.
Campus Ministry invites students, faculty and staff to participate in Holy Week 2025, which runs from April 13 to 19. All services will be held on campus, beginning with the Palm Sunday Masses in English and Spanish on April 13.
Christie Hall Resident Priest Fr. Nik Guiney says the week of events intends to be inclusive for all UP community members and will include liturgy guides to help participants.
This April 20 also marks Guiney’s first Easter as a priest. For Guiney, celebrating Holy Week as a community is important for uplifting faith.
"Holiness means set apart,” Guiney said. “These are special days that are set apart for us to grow closer to God."
Events began on Palm Sunday, April 13, with Masses held at 10:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. in The Chapel of Christ the Teacher and a Spanish Mass held at 1 p.m.
Daily Mass will also be held at 12:05 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.
On Holy Tuesday from 6-8 p.m., all are invited to spend time in The Chapel of Christ the Teacher in silent reflection and prayer during an extended Eucharistic Adoration.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation, or confession, will also be available during this time in the Chapel.
Wednesday will feature Visio Divina at 12:45 p.m., co-hosted by the Garaventa Center and Campus Ministry. This practice translates to "sacred seeing" and intends to offer students, faculty and staff time for contemplation through quiet prayer with Scripture images.
Thursday's Mass of the Lord's Supper begins at 4:30 p.m., followed by an all-night Adoration where participants pray before the Blessed Sacrament at the Altar of Repose, located in The Chapel of Christ the Teacher.
Patrick Shepard, Christie Hall's spirituality ambassador, encourages students to attend the overnight prayer service. He says Holy Week provides an opportunity to alleviate stress before finals.
"Take this time as a way of rest and a way to bring the end of the semester," Shepard said. "Even if you're not religious, use the time to organize your thoughts and get ready."
Good Friday commemorates Jesus Christ's crucifixion with three services.
Campus Ministry will host a morning prayer in the Chapel of Christ the Teacher at 9 a.m., the Sacrament of Reconciliation, offering confession from 2 to 3 p.m. and the Celebration of the Lord's Passion at 3 p.m. will also be held in the Chapel.
Saturday will begin with a 9 a.m. morning prayer. The Great Vigil Mass in the Holy Night at 8:30 p.m. will celebrate two students joining the Catholic Church through baptism and a full communion initiation.
Guiney says Campus Ministry is looking forward to The Great Vigil Mass and welcoming the two students into the Church.
Easter Sunday features a 10:30 a.m. Mass of the Lord’s Resurrection in The Chapel of Christ the Teacher and intends to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with songs of praise and worship.
For questions, contact Campus Ministry at ministry@up.edu.
Rieve Randall is a News Reporter for The Beacon. He can be reached at randallr28@up.edu.
