NEWS RELEASE
March 16, 2026
Contact: Very Rev. John Sheridan, Director of the Office of Worship, (330) 744-8451, ext. 241, jsheridan@youngstowndiocese.org
PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD WEEKEND, MARCH 28-29, 2026
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Masses will be celebrated on Saturday, March 28, at 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 29, at 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Palms will be blessed and distributed at each Mass.
HOLY TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2026
Parishioners from across the Diocese representing the 62 parishes, missions and schools in the six county Catholic Diocese of Youngstown will demonstrate the unity of the diocesan Church as they gather at the Cathedral of Saint Columba in Youngstown for the Mass of Holy Chrism on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. The Most Reverend David J. Bonnar will be the principal celebrant. Priests of the Diocese of Youngstown and religious priests serving in the Diocese will concelebrate at the Chrism Mass, and will participate in the annual renewal of their commitment to priestly service.
An additional focus of this Liturgy will be the consecration of the Sacred Chrism and blessing of the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens. At the close of Mass each pastor will receive Sacred Chrism and the other Holy Oils for use in their parish. The Chrism Mass will be available via live stream on the Catholic Echo website: www.catholicecho.org/live/ It will also be broadcast in Stark County on Thursday, April 2, at 10:00 p.m.
HOLY THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2026
The Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 2. The Cathedral will remain open until 9:00 p.m. for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Security will be provided. The Holy Thursday Mass will also be available via live stream on the Catholic Echo website www.catholicecho.org/live/
GOOD FRIDAY OF THE PASSION, APRIL 3, 2026
The Commemoration of the Passion of the Lord will be celebrated on Good Friday, April 3 at 3:00 p.m. at Saint Columba Cathedral. During this liturgy, the faithful will be invited to participate in the Veneration of the Cross. The annual collection for the Holy Land, which helps preserve the holy places of Christ’s homeland and helps to alleviate the suffering of the poor of every faith in the Holy Land, will be taken up. The Good Friday Liturgy will also be available via live stream on the Catholic Echo website: www.catholicecho.org/live/
HOLY SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2026
On Holy Saturday, the Blessing of the Easter Food will take place at 2:00 p.m. The Easter Vigil will be celebrated at 8:00 p.m. with the Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, presiding. The Easter Vigil will begin with the blessing of the new fire and the preparation of the Paschal Candle. After the proclamation of the Word of God, Bishop Bonnar will baptize four (4) adults who have been preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation, and he will receive into the Catholic Church ten (10) other adults who will also be confirmed and receive Holy Communion.
EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2026
Mass for Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION DURING HOLY WEEK
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available at Saint Columba Cathedral on Monday, March 30, and Wednesday, April 1, both beginning at 1:00 p.m.
