March 24--In a departure from recent tradition, Archbishop Blase Cupich will celebrate Easter Mass this year at a southwest suburban parish instead of Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.
After observing a number of Holy Week events at the cathedral, Cupich will celebrate the Easter Sunday Mass at St. Julie Billiart Parish in Tinley Park.
Holy Week is the last week of Lent, leading up to Easter Sunday. Cupich will start Holy Week as the main celebrant and homilist of Palm Sunday Mass at 11 a.m. in Holy Name Cathedral.
On March 31, Cupich will be the main celebrant and homilist at the annual Chrism Mass at 2 p.m. in Holy Name.
At 5:15 p.m. on Holy Thursday, April 2, Cupich will celebrate the Mass of The Lord's Supper, which includes the ritual washing of feet that recalls Jesus washing the feet of his apostles, followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament that continues throughout the night.
Cupich will celebrate the closing prayer service following the annual Pilsen Neighborhood Via Crucis at St. Adalbert Parish, 1650 W. 17th St., at noon on Good Friday, April 3.
Cupich will lead the solemn Liturgy of the Lord's Passion at Holy Name at 5:15 p.m. on Good Friday. He will return to the cathedral at 1 p.m. on Holy Saturday, April 4, to bless Easter baskets.
The decision to celebrate Easter Sunday elsewhere is a departure from Cardinal Francis George, who always celebrated at the cathedral, the seat of the archdiocese.
Josephine Kaminskas, a parishioner at St. Julie Billiart for more than 20 years, said she was excited about the archbishop's decision.
"I never had the pleasure of meeting him," she said.
mbrachear@tribpub.com
