The celebration of the Easter Vigil is the beginning of the season of Easter. While the Vigil marks the end of the paschal fast, the end of the celebration of Holy Week, and the end of repentance and conversion for which Lent prepared the community, it is much more a beginning. It is the beginning of a new season of grace and a time of joy and thanksgiving, for Easter is not one day or one solemnity—it is a 50-day celebration, and the 50 days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday together comprise what the General Instruction terms "the great Sunday."
Bishop Luis Zarama will lead the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral. The service will include the Liturgy of the Word, Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion.
During the Chrism Mass, diocesan priests renew their priestly vows together with their fellow priests and other representatives from the 96 parishes, campus ministries and mission churches in the Diocese of Raleigh. Bishop Luis Zarama also blesses the holy oils and sacred chrism, which will be used across the diocese throughout the year for sacraments such as baptism, confirmation and anointing of the sick.
In the Lenten season, Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday. This Sunday observes Jesus’s triumphant and joyful entrance into Jerusalem, marked by jubilant crowds waving palm branches, which symbolize victory over sin, peace, and eternal life.
Bishop Luis Zarama will celebrate Mass and bless palms at the following times:
- 8:30 a.m. – Spanish Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh
- 10:30 a.m. – English Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh
In the Lenten season, Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday. This Sunday observes Jesus’s triumphant and joyful entrance into Jerusalem, marked by jubilant crowds waving palm branches, which symbolize victory over sin, peace, and eternal life.
Bishop Luis Zarama will celebrate Mass and bless palms at the following times:
- 8:30 a.m. – Spanish Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh
- 10:30 a.m. – English Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh
The Rite of Election will be celebrated for the catechumens of the Diocese of Raleigh on the first Sunday of Lent. The rite will be centered on the transition of the catechumens, those being prepared for baptism, confirmation and first Eucharist, into the elect.
Bishop Luis Zarama will celebrate Mass and distribute ashes at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral beginning at 12 noon.
Please join us as our diocese gains a new transitional deacon! Bishop Luis Zarama will celebrate the Mass of Ordination for Drew Navarro on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral.
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A Great Opportunity for Your Lenten Retreat!
Meet your friends, learn about your Faith from our great speakers, receive the sacraments, and be moved in Adoration and veneration of saint relics.
Don’t miss this unforgettable day!
April 4-5, 2025 at NC State’s Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh.
The Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s Ministry will be holding 6 weekly discussions of 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory. This extraordinary spiritual guide will forever change the way you spend time with Jesus in the Eucharist. Life is a pilgrimage – it is a sacred journey toward our eternal home with God. There is no better way to receive God’s grace than through the Eucharist.