Holy Week i rapidly approaching, and since this time last year I received some questions about Mass times in various Dutch churches for this busiest of times of the liturgical year, below follow Mass times for all Dutch cathedrals, except the cathedral of St. Catherine in Utrecht, for which I have been unable to find a schedule online. If anyone knows more, by all means, share it in the comments.
Cathedral of SS. Joseph and Martin Radesingel 4, Groningen
Palm Sunday (1 April)
9am: Holy Mass in Latin
11am: Holy Mass
5pm: Holy Mass in Polish
Maundy Thursday (5 April)
7pm: Holy Mass
Good Friday (6 April)
2pm: Stations of the Cross for children
3pm: Stations of the Cross
7pm: Service of the Passion of the Lord
Holy Saturday (7 April)
11:30pm: Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday (8 April)
9am: Holy Mass in Latin
11am: Holy Mass, offered by Bishop Gerard de Korte
Easter Monday (9 April)
11am: Holy Mass
Cathedral Basilica of St. Bavo Leidsevaart 146, Haarlem
Palm Sunday
10am: Holy Mass, offered by Bishop Jos Punt
Noon: Holy Mass for children
Maundy Thursday
7:30pm: Holy Mass
Good Friday
3pm: Stations of the Cross
7:30: Service of the Passion of the Lord
9:30pm: Dark Matins
Holy Saturday
10pm: Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday
10pm: Holy Mass, offered by Bishop Jos Punt
Noon: Holy Mass in Indonesian
Easter Monday
10pm: Holy Mass
Cathedral of SS. Lawrence and Elisabeth Mathenesserlaan 305, Rotterdam
Palm Sunday
11pm: Holy Mass
Maundy Thursday
6pm: Holy Mass
Good Friday
10:30am: Stations of the Cross for children
3pm: Stations of the Cross
19:30pm: Service of the Passion of the Lord
Holy Saturday
10:30pm: Easter Vigil, offered by Bishop Hans van den Hende
Easter Sunday
11am: Holy Mass, offered by Bishop Hans van den Hende
Easter Monday
11am: Holy Mass
Cathedral of Saint Anthony Sint Janstraat 8, Breda
Palm Sunday
10:30am: Holy Mass, offered by Bishop Jan Liesen
Maundy Thursday
7pm: Holy Mass, offered by Bishop Jan Liesen
Good Friday
3pm: Service of the Passion of the Lord, presided by Bishop Jan Lisen
Holy Saturday
9pm: Easter Vigil, offered by Bishop Jan Liesen
Easter Sunday
10:30: Holy Mass, offered by Bishop Jan Liesen
Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Evangelist Torenstraat 16, ‘s Hertogenbosch
Palm Sunday
11am: Holy Mass, offered by Bishop Antoon Hurkmans
Maundy Thursday
7:30pm: Holy Mass
Good Friday
3pm: Service of the Passion of the Lord
7pm: Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday
10pm: Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday
10am: Holy Mass
11:45am: Holy Mass
Easter Monday
11am: Holy Mass
Cathedral of St. Christopher Grote Kerkstraat Bij 29, Roermond
Palm Sunday
11:30am: Holy Mass, offered by Bishop Frans Wiertz
Good Friday
3pm: Stations of the Cross, offered by Bishop Frans Wiertz
Holy Saturday
8:30pm: Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday
11:30am: Holy Mass, offered by Bishop Frans Wiertz
Easter Monday:
11:30am: Holy Mass
All this information was collected by me from various parish and diocesan websites, and so may well be far from complete. A Google search or drop by the various cathedrals may give you more and more accurate information as Holy Week approaches.
At the end of another successful apostolic journey, it’s time to look back at the days the Holy Father spent in Cuba. The island nation may be officially Communist, but that does not mean that Pope Benedict XVI was not welcome. On the contrary. In addition to an official welcome by President Raúl Castro and a private meeting with his brother Fidel, the faithful of the country came out in droves to welcome the Holy Father enthusiastically. As in Mexico, this did much to energise the pope, who at times seemed quite fatigued, judging by the many press photos I have come across.
Now, let’s highlight some of the words that the Holy Father addressed to nthe people of Cuba and the world. The original texts are, as usual, available here.
Cuban President Raúl Castro speaks to Pope Benedict XVI upon the latter's arrival in Santiago de Cuba
Rebirth of society
“Many parts of the world today are experiencing a time of particular economic difficulty, that not a few people regard as part of a profound spiritual and moral crisis which has left humanity devoid of values and defenceless before the ambition and selfishness of certain powers which take little account of the true good of individuals and families. We can no longer continue in the same cultural and moral direction which has caused the painful situation that many suffer. On the other hand, real progress calls for an ethics which focuses on the human person and takes account of the most profound human needs, especially man’s spiritual and religious dimension. In the hearts and minds of many, the way is thus opening to an ever greater certainty that the rebirth of society demands upright men and women of firm moral convictions, with noble and strong values who will not be manipulated by dubious interests and who are respectful of the unchanging and transcendent nature of the human person” (Welcoming ceremony, Santiago de Cuba, 26 March).
A home for humanity
“In Christ, God has truly come into the world, he has entered into our history, he has set his dwelling among us, thus fulfilling the deepest desire of human beings that the world may truly become a home worthy ofhumanity. On the other hand, when God is put aside, the world becomes an inhospitable place for man, and frustrates creation’s true vocation to be a space for the covenant, for the “Yes” to the love between God and humanity who responds to him” (Homily, Santiago de Cuba, 26 March).
Human freedom
“It is touching to see how God not only respects human freedom: he almost seems to require it. And we see also how the beginning of the earthly life of the Son of God was marked by a double “Yes” to the saving plan of the Father – that of Christ and that of Mary. This obedience to God is what opens the doors of the world to the truth, to salvation” (Idem).
The lofty mission of the family
“The mystery of the Incarnation, in which God draws near to us, also shows us the incomparable dignity of every human life. In his loving plan, from the beginning of creation, God has entrusted to the family founded on matrimony the most lofty mission of being the fundamental cell of society and an authentic domestic church. With this certainty, you, dear husbands and wives, are called to be, especially for your children, a real and visible sign of the love of Christ for the Church” (Idem).
Truth
“The truth is a desire of the human person, the search for which always supposes the exercise of authentic freedom. Many, without a doubt, would prefer to take the easy way out, trying to avoid this task. Some, like Pontius Pilate, ironically question the possibility of even knowing what truth is (cf. Jn 18:38), claiming is incapable of knowing it or denying that there exists a truth valid for all. This attitude, as in the case of scepticism and relativism, changes hearts, making them cold, wavering, distant from others and closed. There are too many who, like the Roman governor, wash their hands and let the water of history drain away without taking a stand.
On the other hand, there are those who wrongly interpret this search for the truth, leading them to irrationality and fanaticism; they close themselves up in “their truth”, and try to impose it on others. These are like the blind scribes who, upon seeing Jesus beaten and bloody, cry out furiously, “Crucify him!” (cf. Jn 19:6). Anyone who acts irrationally cannot become a disciple of Jesus. Faith and reason are necessary and complementary in the pursuit of truth. God created man with an innate vocation to the truth and he gave him reason for this purpose. Certainly, it is not irrationality but rather the yearning for truth which the Christian faith promotes. Each man and woman has to seek the truth and to choose it when he or she finds it, even at the risk of embracing sacrifices.” (Homily, Havana, 28 March).
Pope Benedict meets with Fidel Castro in a private meeting at the nunciature in Havana. They spoke about study, books and changes in the liturgy.
Freedom of religion
“The Church lives to make others sharers in the one thing she possesses, which is none other than Christ, our hope of glory (cf. Col 1:27). To carry out this duty, she must count on basic religious freedom, which consists in her being able to proclaim and to celebrate her faith also in public, bringing to others the message of love, reconciliation and peace which Jesus brought to the world.
The right to freedom of religion, both in its private and in its public dimension, manifests the unity of the human person, who is at once a citizen and a believer. It also legitimizes the fact that believers have a contribution to make to the building up of society. Strengthening religious freedom consolidates social bonds, nourishes the hope of a better world, creates favourable conditions for peace and harmonious development, while at the same time establishing solid foundations for securing the rights of future generations.
When the Church upholds this human right, she is not claiming any special privileges for herself. She wishes only to be faithful to the command of her divine founder, conscious that, where Christ is present, we become more human and our humanity becomes authentic” (Idem).
Photo credits:
[1] Javier Galeano/AFP/Getty Images
[2], [3] Reuters/Tony Gentile
[4] Reuters/Osservatore Romano
[5] Esteban Felix/AFP/Getty Images
Cathedral of SS. Joseph and Martin
Cathedral Basilica of St. Bavo
Cathedral of SS. Lawrence and Elisabeth
Cathedral of Saint Anthony
Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Evangelist
Cathedral of St. Christopher
Human freedom
Truth
