The Sacred Triduum of Holy Week in the Extraordinary Form To Be Celebrated in Philadelphia

From Anthony Corvaia, Advisory Council

The Sacred Triduum of Holy Week will be celebrated in the Extraordinary Form at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Philadelphia, with the Holy Thursday Liturgy on April 17 at 7 p.m., the Good Friday Liturgy on April 18 at 5:00 p.m. and the Holy Saturday Liturgy (the Easter Vigil) on April 19 at 5:00 p.m. Holy Trinity is the only church in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia where the Sacred Triduum will be celebrated in the Extraordinary Form.

Holy Trinity Church has been designated as the permanent worship site for the Extraordinary Form in Center City Philadelphia by His Grace, Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia. A Missa Cantata is celebrated every Sunday at noon, preceded by confession and public recitation of the rosary at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome.

Holy Trinity Church is located at the corner of 6th and Spruce Sts., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106. Free on-street parking is available on Sundays and for the Triduum with a parking placard, which may be obtained at the church. The on-street parking is available on the opposite side of Sixth Street from Pine Street to Washington Square, and on the opposite side of Spruce Street from Fifth Street to Seventh Streets.

The Reverend Ronald W.Check is the Chaplain and Coordinator for the Traditional Latin Mass Community. He and a rota of diocesan priests celebrate the Sunday and feast day Masses. Music is provided by the Schola Cantorum under the direction of Michael Lawrence, organist and director of music. Music for Mass includes congregational hymns, the Gregorian propers and a polyphonic setting of the ordinary, which are taken from the traditional repertoire, with motets and additional music for organ.

Historic Holy Trinity Church was established in 1784 and is the third oldest Catholic church in Philadelphia. The church’s equally historic Hook and Hastings pipe organ was installed in 1892 and continues to be used.

For more information about the Traditional Latin Mass Community at Holy Trinity, please visit holytrinitytlm.org.

The parking relaxations for the Triduum are as follows:

Holy Thursday 6-10pm
Good Friday 4-9pm
Holy Saturday 4-9pm